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Poland has called on the European Commission to launch an investigation into TikTok after discovering artificial intelligence-generated videos urging Poland to leave the European Union, a campaign Polish officials attribute to Russian disinformation efforts.
Deputy Digitalization Minister Dariusz Standerski formally requested the investigation in a letter to EU authorities, stating that the content represents “a threat to public order, information security, and the integrity of democratic processes in Poland and across the European Union,” according to Reuters.
The videos in question featured young women dressed in Poland’s national colors advocating for the country’s withdrawal from the 27-nation bloc. Polish government officials pointed to telltale signs of Russian origin, including distinctive syntax patterns in the recordings that suggested non-native Polish speakers created the content.
“This was undoubtedly Russian disinformation,” a Polish government spokesperson told reporters, highlighting growing concerns about foreign interference in EU member states through social media platforms.
Standerski’s letter specifically alleged that TikTok may have failed to comply with its legal obligations under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a comprehensive regulatory framework that imposes stringent requirements on major online platforms designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs).
The DSA, which came into full effect for large platforms in 2023, requires tech companies to implement robust risk assessment measures, particularly regarding content that could interfere with electoral processes or spread disinformation. Violations can result in substantial penalties, with fines potentially reaching up to 6 percent of a company’s global annual turnover.
A TikTok spokesperson responded that the company had removed content that violated its community guidelines and was cooperating with Polish authorities on the matter. The profile behind the controversial videos has reportedly been removed from the platform.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened vigilance across Europe regarding foreign interference in democratic processes. The European Commission had previously reached out to TikTok and other social media platforms in March 2024 requesting information about their preparations to mitigate AI-related election risks, reflecting broader concerns about synthetic media being weaponized for political purposes.
The Commission confirmed receipt of Poland’s letter, with a spokesperson emphasizing that under the DSA, large platforms must assess and mitigate risks associated with their services, particularly those involving artificial intelligence technologies.
Poland’s request for formal proceedings against TikTok represents an escalation in the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate digital platforms and combat disinformation. It also highlights the growing sophistication of influence operations, with AI-generated content becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic material.
The timing is particularly sensitive as several EU member states prepare for elections in 2024, including a bloc-wide European Parliament election in June. Security experts have repeatedly warned about Russian-backed operations targeting these electoral processes through various digital channels.
Poland, which shares a border with Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave and has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters following Russia’s full-scale invasion, has frequently raised alarms about Moscow’s influence campaigns targeting the country.
Moscow has consistently denied allegations of orchestrating disinformation campaigns or interfering in foreign elections, despite mounting evidence compiled by European intelligence agencies and independent researchers documenting such activities.
This case represents one of the first major tests of the DSA’s provisions regarding AI-generated content and could set important precedents for how the EU approaches regulation of synthetic media in political contexts.
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10 Comments
As someone who closely follows commodity and energy markets, I’m concerned about the potential for disinformation to disrupt supply chains and trade flows. Thorough investigation into this case is warranted.
Good point. Distorted information campaigns could have ripple effects on critical industries like mining and energy, so maintaining transparency and fact-based discourse is essential.
The use of AI-generated content to sow political discord is a worrying trend. I hope the EU investigation can shed light on the scale and sophistication of these Russian disinformation efforts on social media.
Agreed. Detecting and countering AI-driven propaganda will be an ongoing challenge, but it’s crucial for maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions in Europe.
Efforts to undermine European unity through social media manipulation are quite worrying. Poland is right to push for an EU-wide investigation into this TikTok controversy to better protect democratic processes.
Absolutely. Foreign adversaries are increasingly weaponizing online platforms, so it’s imperative that EU authorities take this threat seriously and work to strengthen digital defenses.
Interesting to see Poland taking the lead on investigating alleged Russian disinformation on social media. Given the sensitive geopolitical tensions, this issue deserves careful scrutiny to understand the scale and origins of the problem.
I agree, tracking down the source of these AI-generated videos will be critical. Platforms like TikTok need to be held accountable for how their algorithms can be exploited for malicious political purposes.
While I’m skeptical of overreaching government regulation of online platforms, this case highlights the need for robust content moderation policies to address malicious foreign interference. The EU must balance free speech with security concerns.
A fair point. Any regulatory response will require striking the right balance to uphold democratic values while also protecting citizens from coordinated disinformation campaigns.