TikTok’s algorithms under scrutiny in Romanian presidential elections as panel debates social media impact
In the latest episode of “Brussels, my love?”, experts discussed whether TikTok’s algorithms could have influenced the recent Romanian presidential elections, with an unknown populist candidate topping the first round of voting. The panel, including Petros Fassoulas, Soundous Boualam, and Robert Taylor, debated the role of social media in politics and society.
TikTok influencer Soundous Boualam, who has a significant following on the platform, defended TikTok’s promotion of good content and called for more progressive politicians in the EU to take the platform seriously. However, Robert Taylor issued a warning about TikTok, claiming it is designed to promote anti-Western disinformation.
The panel also discussed the transformation of social media platform X, now owned by Elon Musk, and the shift of users to rival network Bluesky. Concerns were raised about the creation of echo chambers on social media platforms, where users only listen to opinions they agree with, leaving them vulnerable to misinformation.
The debate highlighted the growing influence of social media in politics and the need for regulation to ensure fair and transparent elections. The impact of social media platforms on democracy and public discourse remains a pressing issue that requires further scrutiny and discussion.
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