Zorba warns: Tikok election manipulation needs strong EU laws!

Zorba warns: Tikok election manipulation needs strong EU laws!

Deutschland - On April 7, 2025, Süleyman Zorba, the digitization spokesman for the Greens, expresses significant concerns about the manipulation of the election manipulation and the spread of disinformation on the Tikok platform. These statements are made in the context of a recently published transparency report, which extensively documented the manipulation of the Romanian presidential election, which took place on November 24, 2024. The report comprises 329 pages and also shows the destruction of a network that aimed to influence the political discourse in Germany and had connections to the AfD.

Zorba calls for a decisive use of the EU Digital Services (DSA) of the EU to combat both disinformation and radicalization on social media. The Greens had already called for a quick conclusion to the EU Commission procedures against social media platforms in February. An application by the Greens received approval from all parties in parliament, with the exception of the FPÖ.

necessary measures to combat disinformation

The digitization spokesman emphasizes that it is now time to consistently implement threatened sanctions and to persuade the large technology companies to comply with their legal obligations. In this context, Zorba also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive educational offers and the promotion of factual checks services to immunize the population against disinformation. However, a corresponding application for educational measures was postponed in parliament.

In the broader discussion about disinformation, the Federal Government acknowledges that the increase in fake images, videos and fake news on social media, especially in the light of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, is problematic. The Digital Services Act, which came into force on November 16, 2022 and applies from February 17, 2024, is a step to strengthen the fundamental rights of the user with regard to protection against illegal content.

transparency and risk management

Transparency requirements that apply to advertising and moderation decisions are obliged to provide providers to better inform their users about targeted advertising. In addition, risks in connection with illegal content must be analyzed, including dangers to fundamental rights, consumer protection, discrimination and public security.

The platforms are also obliged to communicate identified risks of the EU Commission and take measures to reduce risk. In order to check the implementation of the DSA through the platforms, an internal compliance function is required. The EU Commission processes this review to ensure a safer and more responsible online environment.

Overall, it turns out that both the Greens and the Federal Government are actively working on solutions to address the challenges of disinformation and manipulation on social media. The coming months will be decisive for how these measures are implemented in practice and whether they have the desired effect.