Czech Authorities Investigate TikTok Accounts for Election Interference Ahead of October Vote

Investigation Launched into TikTok Disinformation Campaign

Czech authorities have initiated an investigation into hundreds of fake TikTok accounts suspected of attempting to influence the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. The accounts are reportedly disseminating pro-Russian content and promoting radical political parties ahead of the vote scheduled for October 3-4, 2025.

The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) has confirmed its involvement in examining these accounts. According to reports from the news site Deník N, the investigation focuses on whether these accounts are automated bots, rather than directly addressing the content itself.

Online Risk Labs Uncovers Extensive Network

A newly formed group of Czech analysts, Online Risk Labs, has played a pivotal role in uncovering the extent of this suspected disinformation campaign. The group identified 286 TikTok accounts that frequently boosted each other's content. These accounts collectively garnered between 5 million and 9 million weekly views, a reach that reportedly surpasses the combined online visibility of mainstream party leaders.

The content spread by these accounts includes pro-Russian narratives, criticism of the European Union and NATO, and defenses of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They are also promoting parties such as the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the far-left Stačilo! (Enough!), both of which advocate for the Czech Republic's withdrawal from the EU and NATO. The mechanism of manipulation involves automatically liking, sharing, and commenting on posts within seconds to bypass TikTok's algorithms and push videos into users' 'For You' feeds, creating an artificial impression of widespread public interest.

Broader Concerns and TikTok's Response

This investigation comes amidst existing concerns regarding TikTok's operations in the Czech Republic. In March 2023, the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) issued a warning, classifying TikTok as a security threat. NÚKIB cited the extensive amount of user data collected by the app and the legal environment in China, where TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is based, as primary reasons for its concern.

In response to growing fears of disinformation ahead of the Czech elections, TikTok announced in June 2025 that it would deploy a 53-member team of local moderators and activate a dedicated 'elections task force'. This team is tasked with monitoring content, detecting misinformation, flagging AI-generated political content, and enforcing transparency among political influencers. TikTok has stated it prohibits paid political promotion, advertising, or fundraising by politicians and political parties. The platform is also in contact with the ČTÚ regarding these issues.

Electoral Integrity at Stake

The upcoming parliamentary elections on October 3-4, 2025, are a critical juncture for the Czech Republic. Czech officials are keen to prevent a repeat of situations seen elsewhere in Europe, such as the annulment of a presidential election in Romania due to alleged Russian meddling via TikTok. The current probe underscores the ongoing challenges of safeguarding democratic processes from foreign interference and the spread of disinformation on social media platforms.