POLITICO Tech: Police Raids, Fleeing TikTokers, and Romania’s Cancelled Election
Release Date: December 17, 2024

Overview

In this gripping episode of POLITICO Tech, host Stephen Overlea delves into the unprecedented cancellation of Romania’s presidential election amid allegations of foreign interference via social media platforms, particularly TikTok. Joined by investigative journalist Andrei Popovecchio, the discussion unpacks the intricate web of disinformation campaigns, the role of influencers tied to organized crime, and the broader implications for democratic institutions and European Union policies.

Romania’s Cancelled Election: An Unprecedented Move

[02:03] Stephen Overlea:
"Rarely does a news headline make me gasp out loud, but a recent one did just that. It was a story out of Romania where a constitutional court canceled a presidential election, like the whole election, over concerns about foreign interference on social media."

The episode begins with an alarming revelation: Romania’s constitutional court has annulled its presidential election due to detected foreign interference orchestrated through social media, specifically TikTok. This marks the first instance in 35 years where an election has been canceled under such circumstances.

[02:14] Andrei Popovecchio:
"It's an unprecedented situation for Romania at the moment... a virtually unknown candidate called Kaling Georgescu was propelled to win the first round of the elections... the president has decided to declassify intelligence documents that have laid out a sophisticated social media campaign... leading to the annulment of the elections."

Georgescu, an obscure far-right politician, surged to prominence via TikTok, ultimately securing a place in the second round against Elena Lasconi. However, the discovery of an elaborate social media interference campaign just before the runoff led to the election’s cancellation.

Public Sentiment and Institutional Trust

[04:16] Andrei Popovecchio:
"Romania is deeply polarized right now... people are losing trust in our democratic institutions."

The cancellation has left the Romanian populace deeply divided and disillusioned with mainstream political parties and democratic institutions. Both supporters of Georgescu and Lasconi express frustration—Georgescu’s base fears manipulation by the establishment, while Lasconi’s supporters see the annulment as a necessary safeguard against a potentially pro-Russian leader.

The TikTok Disinformation Campaign

[05:56] Stephen Overlea:
"TikTok has been at the center of a lot of this controversy because it is the platform where Georgescu gained so much traction... how much has been revealed about the TikTok campaign to boost Georgescu and who is behind it?"

The conversation shifts to the mechanics of the disinformation campaign on TikTok. According to declassified intelligence documents, over 25,000 pro-Georgescu TikTok accounts were mobilized, utilizing subtle promotion tactics rather than overt endorsements.

[06:15] Andrei Popovecchio:
"...influencers weren't told to say vote for Georgescu. It was actually more subtle, the campaign... they were actually told to mention specific traits of what an ideal candidate would look like for the presidential election... attracting bots who were commenting vote for Georgescu."

Influencers were incentivized to highlight desirable candidate traits rather than explicitly endorsing Georgescu, making the campaign appear as organic voter mobilization. This strategy effectively engaged TikTok’s vast user base in Romania, which numbers approximately 9 million out of a 19 million population.

Influencers Tied to Organized Crime Fleeing the Country

[08:36] Stephen Overlea:
"I mean, like, influencers attached to organized crime getting dark money to promote a candidate to, like, take an election."

A particularly alarming development involves TikTok influencers with connections to organized crime who played significant roles in the disinformation campaign. Facing investigations, several of these influencers are fleeing Romania to escape scrutiny.

[08:51] Andrei Popovecchio:
"Influencers were indeed paid, and now they're being investigated by the tax authorities for the truth about how and who paid them... some of them were scared and they left. But Georgescu said that if he does become president, he would pardon anyone accused in these investigations."

These influencers received substantial payments, with some investigations revealing expenditures up to €1 million aimed at manipulating public opinion. The departure of these individuals raises questions about the depth and reach of the clandestine operations behind the campaign.

Calls for Increased Transparency and Regulation

[11:03] Stephen Overlea:
"There's talk in the US about whether there needs to be more transparency around influencers and their role in politics... Has there been talk of a need for more transparency around this in future elections?"

The episode explores the broader implications for political campaigning on social media platforms. Romania's strict electoral laws require clear labeling of political content, yet these were blatantly ignored during the campaign.

[11:43] Andrei Popovecchio:
"Civil society and politicians in Romania are starting to realize the power and influence these platforms have... calling for stricter regulations, and they're calling for the platforms to better regulate and make sure that there's no illegal political campaigning happening on these platforms."

There is a growing consensus in Romania that platforms like TikTok must implement more rigorous oversight to prevent similar interference in future elections. This includes ensuring that all political content is properly flagged and regulated.

European Union’s Response and Future Policies

[15:43] Stephen Overlea:
"Brussels is watching this. They are clearly nervous about it... Do we have a sense yet at the EU level of where leaders go from here with this issue?"

The fallout from Romania’s canceled election has significant implications for the European Union (EU). The EU is acutely aware of the vulnerabilities its member states face regarding foreign interference via digital platforms.

[16:11] Andrei Popovecchio:
"The Commission didn't condemn the canceling of the election and actually supported the government and the Romanian Constitutional Court in their decision to cancel the election... EU has the Digital Act that is regulating these platforms and that calls for stricter measures on them."

The EU is leveraging this incident to reinforce and possibly expand its regulatory framework, notably the Digital Act, to better address and mitigate the risks posed by foreign interference in national elections. This involves enhancing cooperation among member states to safeguard electoral integrity against similar cyber threats.

Conclusion

The cancellation of Romania’s presidential election underscores the profound impact that social media platforms can have on democratic processes. As discussed by Stephen Overlea and Andrei Popovecchio, the orchestrated disinformation campaign on TikTok not only disrupted the electoral outcome but also eroded public trust in institutions. The episode highlights the urgent need for robust regulatory mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigning on digital platforms. Additionally, it signals the EU’s heightened focus on safeguarding its member states against such vulnerabilities, paving the way for more stringent policies and collaborative efforts to preserve the integrity of democratic institutions in the digital age.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Overlea [00:28]:
  "Now, the vote has been canceled, investigators are raiding the homes of political donors, and TikTok influencers with links to organized crime are fleeing the country."

• Andrei Popovecchio [02:14]:
  "...the Constitutional Court has decided to indeed cancel them and reorganize them a later date, based on these intelligence documents."

• Andrei Popovecchio [04:16]:
  "People are losing trust in our democratic institutions."

• Andrei Popovecchio [06:15]:
  "...influencers were actually told in exchange for €1,000 to mention specific traits of what an ideal candidate would look like for the presidential election."

• Andrei Popovecchio [08:51]:
  "Georgescu said that if he does become president, he would pardon anyone accused in these investigations."

• Andrei Popovecchio [11:43]:
  "...they're calling for stricter regulations, and they're calling for the platforms to better regulate and make sure that there's no illegal political campaigning happening on these platforms."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and detailed understanding for those who have not listened to the podcast.