TikTok accounts with unclear affiliation supporting political parties and political candidates in the EU
DRI
Summary
In our recent reports to TikTok on May 3 and May 23, 2024, we highlighted political party or candidate accounts with unclear affiliations in numerous EU member states. Such accounts have posed a risk to the integrity of the European Parliament elections, because users cannot be sure who they represent. We called on TikTok to review them and to proactively check party and candidate accounts across the EU-27 member states.
TikTok suspended a total of nine accounts that we reported. This third analysis lists numerous further accounts with unclear authenticity that appear to violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
Findings
Again, we found numerous accounts with vague self-descriptions, using party/candidate name, logos, symbols, or photos, without clearly disclosing their status in their account names, and usually following very few other accounts.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, “Parody or fan-based accounts must be clearly disclosed in the account name (note that this is different than the @username)”. Impersonation occurs in the platform when “accounts pose as another real person or entity without disclosing that they are a fan or parody account in the account name, such as using someone’s name, biographical details, content, or image without disclosing it”.
We highlight here some exemplary cases of such accounts with explanations:
38K followers The account uses the party logo and party name with only minor variations. It does not disclose what type of account it is. It follows nobody.
1K Followers The description claims that it is an “unofficial account”, which does not explain anything. TikTok’s Community Guidelines stipulate that a fan-based status must be disclosed in the account name.
1K Followers The account uses the party logo and name, implying it represents a party wing in Tribo without clarity. It does not seem to respect TikToks community guidelines on parties or fan accounts.
1.5 K Followers The account uses the party name and a photo of one of the party leaders, without disclosing whether it is a party or a fan-based account.
The following accounts have the same features as the ones listed above. They all appear to violate TikTok’s community guidelines, being unclear whether they are party or fan-based accounts. We have therefore not added further individual analysis to each account.
Our recommendations remain similar to those made in the earlier reports:
TikTok should apply its community guidelines, commitments against disinformation and legal obligations to political accounts with an unclear affiliation (as listed above).
Our findings are based on spot-checks, rather than a comprehensive analysis of all such accounts. TikTok should research this issue systematically and urgently in all EU member states.
TikTok should review the formulation of its community guidelines, their interpretation, and their practice to address “foreseeable negative effects on civic discourse and electoral processes” (Article 34 DSA). This remains relevant across the EU after the elections: on the one hand, because many member states have upcoming elections and on the other hand, because these accounts play a role in civic discourse at any time. The category of fan account allows a very easy way for parties wishing to circumvent the more restricted policy onGovernment, Politician, and Political Party Account (GPPPA).
This project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Culture of Solidarity Fund powered by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Allianz Foundation and the Evens Foundation.
Co-organised by Democracy Reporting International, Forum Transregionale Studien, Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung and Verfassungsblog.
Thursday 20 February 2025 Revaler Str. 29, 10245 Berlin 18:30 – 20:00
