European Union: Issued European Commission retention order for information to TikTok on its management of risks of information manipulation

On 5 December 2024, the European Commission issued a retention order for information under the Digital Service Act (DSA) to TikTok, focusing on the platform's content moderation practices, particularly in the context of the Romanian elections. TikTok is required to preserve data related to the design of its recommender systems and potential risks of manipulation, as well as systematic violations of terms prohibiting political monetisation. The retention order applies to national elections across the European Union between 24 November 2024 and 31 March 2025 and is due to concerns over foreign interference, including evidence pointing to Russian involvement.