The European Union has launched an investigation into the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok over accusations that it was used by Russia to influence the result of Romania's first round of presidential elections won by a far-right Moscow-friendly candidate.
Largely unknown independent Calin Georgescu scored a shock victory in the first round of balloting in a November 24 election with some 23 percent of the vote. He had been due to face pro-European center-right Elena Lasconi in a December 8 runoff.
However, following Romania's National Security Council's declassification of documents allegedly pointing to a "state actor" that wasn't named but appeared to be Russia, the EU and NATO member's Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the vote and ordered a complete rerun that would take place in the next few months.
SEE ALSO: Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election, Throws Process Into ChaosIncumbent Klaus Iohannis's term has been extended accordingly, although his second five-year term expired in mid-December.
"Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok, we are now thoroughly investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to tackle such risks," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on December 17.
"This decision to open an investigation takes into account information received from declassified intelligence reports by the Romanian authorities, as well as third-party reports," she added.
The statement said the commission will continue to gather evidence, "for example by sending additional requests for information, conducting monitoring actions, interviews, inspections, and requesting access to algorithms."
Von der Leyen's announcement comes after the EU, issued a retention order to TikTok on December 5, ordering the platform to freeze and preserve data related to "actual or foreseeable systemic risks" concerning national elections in the 27-member bloc from November 24 to March next year.
TikTok will now have to provide data and documents retained under the December 5 order, von der Leyen said.
The EU move comes after a group of senior U.S. senators issued a statement condemning alleged Russian influence in the Romanian elections.
“Vladimir Putin’s assault on Romania’s elections is yet another example of the hybrid war he is waging on our European allies and partners,” U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (Republican-Nevada), Ben Cardin (Democrat-Maryland), Jim Risch (Republican-Idaho), and Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire) said in a statement.
“As a strong NATO ally, we support Romania as it fights for the integrity of its elections. We condemn Putin’s manipulation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled TikTok to undermine Romania’s democratic process," the senators said.
"The United States stands in support of Romania as it urgently moves to hold certifiably free and fair presidential elections," the statement said.