VIRAL, NOT TRUE

how a flawed algorithm led to the annulment of Romania's 2024 presidential election

At the end of 2024, Romanians across the globe were voting for their next president. In the first round of the 2 round voting process, there were more than 10 candidates including independent candidate
Călin Georgescu.
A week later, the Constitutional Court annulled the election due to foreign interference
and the manipulation of TikTok's algorithm in Georgescu's favour.

Despite being virtually unknown before the elections, and expected to earn minimal votes (5.1%), he somehow managed to win over the majority of the population (22.9%).

While the usage of social media to promote campaigns is not new, taking advantage of imperfect algorithms can fuel political polarisation and promote division
Through the integration of political messaging into trends and hashtags, campaigns can subtly guide public opinion without presenting themselves as explicitly political.

In this specific case, a study found that a newly created, politically neutral TikTok account was shown nearly 3 times more far-right (pro-Georgescu) content than all other political content combined. Inauthentic or automated profiles further amplified this imbalance, creating a misleading perception of Georgescu's popularity.

This kind of error produced by the algorithm that results in unfair outcomes is known as algorithmic bias.

Comments using terms such as saviour, intelligent leader and patriot to describe Georgescu were repeatedly spammed across opponents’ TikTok videos, creating a false sense of popularity.

Additionally, short clips featuring the national flag, elderly people, and children were used to appeal to viewers’ emotions and patriotism. Combined with half-truths and data presented out of context, this strategy made it unlikely that casual viewers scrolling past would stop to fact-check the information.

Rather than relying on logic, his campaign leveraged emotions, repeated exposure, and algorithmic amplification.

There is a blurred line between conventional political advertising and the use of social media algorithms to manipulate public opinion.

While traditional campaigning relies on visible methods such as ads, posters, and flyers, algorithm-driven platforms operate in far less transparent ways. This is evident in Georgescu’s campaign, where he claimed to have spent no money on advertising and had no campaign office, yet still achieved significant online reach.

TikTok’s viralisation algorithm, which is based on undisclosed criteria, has been shown to amplify political content, including hard-right material during the Polish election, raising concerns about how these systems can influence democratic processes.

After the communist era, Romanians hoped for a more honest and transparent government, one that is truly accountable to its people. Yet the journey towards realising that vision remains ongoing.

The country continues to wrestle with challenges in consolidating democratic practices and addressing corruption.

The annulled election serves as a stark reminder of political instability, especially in a time where public opinions can be subtly influenced by algorithms, prompting reflection on
how democracy is measured and upheld in practice.

1989

The Romanian Revolution
brings end to 42 years of Communist rule

1991

Adoption of democratic consitution

Minimising the risks of algorithmic bias, like those seen in this case study, requires a multifaceted approach and collective effort.

Political literacy is essential, helping citizens recognise manipulation, understand political jargon, and increase overall awareness.

Social media platforms must also be held accountable, with mechanisms to detect and address algorithmic bias, especially in critical events such as elections.

In the meantime, personal responsibility remains the most effective way for individuals to avoid falling prey to manipulation and to protect democratic processes.

Supporting documents

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