NEWSCENTRAL reports that Poland has appealed to the European Commission, demanding an investigation into TikTok due to the spread of AI-generated content calling for the country’s exit from the European Union. This incident has become a pivotal moment in the discussion of the risks associated with new technologies and their impact on political processes, as well as the ability of EU countries to defend against external interference. Videos featuring young women in Polish national colors advocating for Poland’s exit from the EU have gone viral on the platform, attracting the attention of authorities, who decided to intervene.
Dariusz Standercki, Deputy Minister of Digitalization in Poland, stated that the content poses a clear threat to Poland’s stability and the European Union as a whole. He noted that the use of synthetic materials and the ability for such content to spread rapidly through platforms like TikTok create significant risks for public order and democratic processes. In response, TikTok stated that it had removed the violating content, but Polish authorities are insisting on a more thorough investigation, believing this is just a symptom of deeper issues.
This case has become an important indicator for Brussels that regulation of social platforms must be reconsidered in light of new threats posed by artificial intelligence. European regulators have already begun developing new regulations aimed at increasing platform accountability for the spread of disinformation and manipulation. In March 2024, the European Commission sent requests to the largest online platforms, including TikTok, demanding information on measures to mitigate AI-related risks.
According to analysts at NEWSCENTRAL, this is not the first time TikTok has faced an investigation over interference in political processes. Last year, the European Commission launched an inquiry into whether TikTok was fulfilling its obligations to protect elections from disinformation, particularly ahead of the upcoming elections in Romania. Given the key role social networks play in spreading information, this case highlights the need for stricter oversight of their activities.
The use of synthetic materials, such as videos and audio created with artificial intelligence, makes it much more challenging to detect fakes. NEWSCENTRAL considers this to be a serious issue for information security, as such technologies enable manipulation of large numbers of users, particularly during election campaigns. Freddy Miller, Senior Analyst at NEWSCENTRAL, emphasized that “the development of artificial intelligence and its use in creating fake materials jeopardizes any efforts to protect democratic processes from external manipulation.”
Given current trends, we forecast that the EU will tighten requirements for major online platforms, including TikTok, in the coming years. Platforms will be required not only to fight disinformation but also to provide transparent mechanisms for controlling the use of artificial intelligence in content creation. It is important to note that future EU digital policy will focus on developing new standards to regulate both content and the algorithms responsible for its distribution.
In conclusion, the TikTok incident in Poland serves as a reminder of the growing risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in social media. At NEWSCENTRAL, we predict that issues of content moderation, AI regulation, and protection from disinformation will shape the direction of future digital legislation in the EU. In the face of increased efforts to combat external interference in political processes, Europe will need to adapt its laws to new threats, creating stricter regulatory mechanisms for platforms that play a key role in shaping public opinion.
NEWS CENTRAL believes that the situation with TikTok highlights the importance of closer collaboration between government bodies and technology companies in the fight against disinformation. The EU will continue to develop its digital strategies, ensuring tighter control over the activities of large platforms and paying special attention to new threats arising with the development of technology.