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EU Launches Investigation into TikTok Over Election Interference

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On Tuesday, the European Commission officially opened formal proceedings against TikTok over concerns regarding its failure to prevent election interference, particularly during Romania’s presidential election last month.

Focus of the Investigation

The Commission’s investigation will primarily examine TikTok’s policies on political advertisements, including paid political content, and the platform’s recommendation systems to determine whether they could be manipulated to influence elections. TikTok will be required to provide detailed information about its content moderation practices and the risks associated with these systems.

The investigation, which could lead to further enforcement actions or commitments from TikTok, has no set timeline for completion. However, the opening of formal proceedings allows the Commission to take further steps if necessary.

TikTok’s Defense

In response, TikTok, owned by China’s Bytedance, defended its actions, stating that it had safeguarded the integrity of its platform across more than 150 elections globally. TikTok emphasized that it does not accept paid political advertisements and actively removes content that violates its policies, such as misinformation and hate speech.

On December 5, the European Commission ordered TikTok to freeze data related to the Romanian election under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs the operation of major social media companies in Europe. The Romanian court later annulled the election due to allegations of Russian interference and the victory of pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu.

Broader Context and Future Elections

The Commission is concerned about potential foreign interference in upcoming elections, such as Germany’s parliamentary election in February and Croatia’s presidential election starting on December 29. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the need to act swiftly and firmly against any foreign interference, particularly during elections.

This marks the third investigation the European Commission has opened against TikTok under the DSA, with previous cases focusing on risks to minors. One investigation was closed after TikTok agreed to remove its TikTok Lite Rewards program in the EU.

 

Iranian Hackers Allegedly Release Trump Campaign Emails, Highlighting Election Interference Efforts

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A suspected Iranian hacking group has reportedly circulated emails from U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign, gaining attention after sharing material through a Democratic operative and independent journalists. The emails, which reveal campaign communications with external advisers on 2024 election strategies, are part of an ongoing election interference effort allegedly linked to Iran, despite a recent U.S. Justice Department indictment accusing them of meddling in the U.S. democratic process.

Key Developments in the Leak

The hackers, allegedly associated with the Iranian government-backed group Mint Sandstorm (APT42), reportedly accessed the Trump campaign by stealing passwords from multiple staffers in May and June. After failing to draw mainstream media attention initially, the group—using the fake identity “Robert”—turned to independent journalists and American Muckrakers PAC, which has now published select documents.

In discussions with Reuters, “Robert” did not respond to allegations, while the U.S. Department of Justice maintains the hackers are associated with Iran’s Basij paramilitary force. This hacking operation exemplifies Iran’s alleged commitment to interfere in U.S. elections. The Iranian mission to the United Nations denied involvement, calling such accusations “unfounded and inadmissible.”

Media Response and Content of the Leaks

The leaked emails reportedly feature sensitive information from the Trump campaign, including vice-presidential candidate research on Republican politicians like JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Doug Burgum. However, media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Politico declined to publish the content, citing its lack of public interest. While the emails have not dramatically shifted Trump campaign dynamics, American Muckrakers and independent journalist Ken Klippenstein have published portions, leading to FBI warnings about foreign influence.

In response, Trump’s campaign criticized Iran’s efforts to destabilize the U.S. election, emphasizing the national security risk posed by re-publishing these documents.

Continued Risk of Foreign Interference

U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies have noted that Iran’s efforts focus on undermining Trump, whom they blame for the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The FBI continues to monitor Iranian hacking activities against both major U.S. presidential campaigns. The American Muckrakers’ founder, David Wheeler, has stated that the PAC intends to continue sharing “authentic” documents to inform the public, claiming his organization’s actions are in the public interest.

As election interference concerns mount, U.S. agencies have redoubled efforts to counteract foreign influence and secure campaign communications, while Iran’s purported involvement underscores the ongoing threat to democratic integrity.

Prosecutors Allege Trump “Resorted to Crimes” to Overturn 2020 Election in New Court Filing

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Prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of committing crimes to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a newly released court filing. The Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed to lead the election interference case, argued that Trump is not immune from prosecution despite his claims to protection under a recent Supreme Court ruling.

In the 165-page document made public on Wednesday, prosecutors claim Trump engaged in a “private criminal effort” to challenge the election results. They argue that many of Trump’s alleged actions were not official acts as president but rather connected to his campaign or his role as a private citizen. The filing contends that the Supreme Court’s ruling, which grants immunity for official acts, does not apply to Trump’s efforts to overturn the election.

The document alleges that Trump and his allies, including Rudy Giuliani, sought to exploit the January 6th Capitol riots to delay the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Prosecutors presented evidence that Trump had always intended to declare victory, regardless of the election outcome, and knowingly spread false claims about voter fraud. The filing details efforts by Trump’s campaign to challenge ballots in key battleground states, including Michigan, where a Trump operative allegedly sought to fabricate reasons for legal challenges to Biden’s votes.

Prosecutors highlighted several instances of dissent from Mike Pence, Trump’s then vice-president, who repeatedly rejected Trump’s demands to overturn the election results. They also alleged that Trump showed indifference when informed that rioters had endangered Pence’s life during the Capitol insurrection, reportedly responding, “So what?”

Trump’s legal team has dismissed the filing as unconstitutional and riddled with falsehoods, while Trump himself labeled the case a “hit job” on Truth Social. He criticized the timing of the release, with the upcoming 2024 election in mind, accusing prosecutors of misconduct.

The filing provides new evidence and offers the clearest picture yet of the case against Trump, but a trial date has not yet been set. Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and predicts his “complete victory” in the case.