MEPs Dan Barna and Vlad Voiculescu have received an official response from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about their request regarding the risks of interference in the electoral process in Romania.
"Although the Commission confirms that investigations against online platforms remain open, the two MEPs draw attention to the slowness of European procedures, which come to establish facts long after electoral processes have already been affected. In her response to the MEPs, the President of the Commission stressed that the institution remains fully committed to the rigorous application of the obligations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). At the same time, the document explicitly confirms that the investigations are still ongoing, with the Commission currently collecting facts and data from all parties involved and reviewing the available evidence," according to a release sent on Tuesday by Save Romania Union (USR).
According to the same source, the European Commission's response brings "important clarifications" regarding the measures taken against TikTok in the context of the Romanian elections.
The Commission has extended the data retention order issued to TikTok, now covering the elections of 4 and 18 May 2025. This order remains in force at this time, ensuring the availability of the data necessary to verify TikTok's compliance with the DSA risk management framework, the statement added.
Dan Barna and Vlad Voiculescu welcome the fact that the file has not been closed, but criticize "the pace at which the European institutions are managing these imminent threats", USR states.
"The fact that Ursula von der Leyen confirms to us today, in 2026, that investigations are open and that 'data is being collected' about the 2024 and 2025 elections shows a systemic flaw. Although TikTok has announced specific measures, including a team of 120 experts for the Romanian elections, the effects of disinformation have already occurred. We need rapid reaction mechanisms, not post-factum findings," said Dan Barna.
For his part, Vlad Voiculescu highlighted the "discrepancy" between the platforms' promises and the reality on the ground.
"The Commission says to have closely monitored the changes promised by TikTok during the May 2025 elections. However, we are informed that the evidence is only now being analyzed. This bureaucratic slowness in the face of algorithms that act in real time is unacceptable. Democracy cannot be defended with the speed of administrative correspondence," Voiculescu said.
The two MEPs will continue to ask the European Commission not only for monitoring, but also for "rapid sanctions and concrete preventive measures" to protect the integrity of future electoral processes, the statement added.
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