PRAGUE — TikTok, the Chinese-owned video sharing platform, has taken action against numerous accounts suspected of attempting to influence the Czech parliamentary elections occurring this weekend. Reports indicate that hundreds of accounts were flagged for exhibiting inauthentic behavior, leading to the removal of dozens by the platform, as confirmed by the Czech Telecommunication Office.
Concerns about disinformation in the election campaign
The campaign surrounding the Czech elections has faced significant challenges, including an influx of fake news and propaganda. Tactics employed have ranged from disinformation websites that translate content from sanctioned Russian sources to automated accounts impersonating political candidates on social media. According to research conducted by Local Risk Labs, 286 TikTok accounts were identified, collectively amassing 5 to 9 million views weekly—outpacing many established political leaders and promoting extremist parties like the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the far-left Enough! (Stačilo!).
TikTok’s proactive measures and election integrity
These parties are poised to potentially enter the government for the first time since the end of communism in 1989, either directly or by supporting Andrej Babiš’s right-wing populist ANO party, which leads in current polls.
“The content includes, for example, glorification of Vladimir Putin, disinformation and narratives legitimizing Russian aggression in Ukraine, as well as demonstrations of the Russian army’s strength,”
Online Risk Labs stated.
As of August 1, TikTok reported that it had proactively removed 98.5 percent of content violating its rules regarding election integrity, misinformation, and AI-generated content. The platform also deleted 46 accounts that were impersonating officials during this electoral period.
In a statement, TikTok noted,
“We have proactively implemented additional safety and security measures ahead of the elections in Czechia, including an in-app Election Center to provide access to authoritative information about the vote.”
With approximately 2.5 million users in Czechia, TikTok’s influence in the region is smaller compared to countries like Romania, where a recent presidential election was annulled due to the unexpected rise of an ultranationalist candidate benefiting from TikTok exposure.
The European Commission engaged in discussions with major tech companies including Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and X, organized by the Czech telecommunications office on August 29. According to spokesperson Thomas Regnier, the platforms expressed their willingness to address potential incidents, although the Commission highlighted its responsibility regarding systemic risks associated with misinformation.