TikTok removed 134K fake accounts and 2M fake followers ahead of elections
Over 134,000 fake accounts and nearly 2 million fake followers were removed by TikTok in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova, held on September 28. Also, the platform announces that it has dismantled five coordinated networks, totaling over 7,000 accounts targeting the public in the Republic of Moldova, promoting pro-Russian politicians and trying to discredit the government.
“In August and September 2025, we dismantled five networks totaling at least 7,593 accounts targeting the public in the Republic of Moldova. These networks promoted pro-Russian politicians and attempted to discredit the current government. In total, since the beginning of this year, we have disrupted eight covert influence operations targeting the Republic of Moldova,” reads the company’s press release.
In total, between July 1 and September 28, TikTok removed over 9,300 videos that violated its rules on civic integrity, disinformation, or content generated with artificial intelligence. Of these, 91% were proactively removed before users reported them.
The company also announced that it prevented 2.9 million fake likes, 1.8 million fake follow requests, and blocked the creation of over 268,000 spam accounts in the Republic of Moldova. “Our teams have been working tirelessly to proactively and firmly counter attempts to manipulate our systems and mislead the TikTok community,” the statement said.
Also, between July 1 and September 28, the platform removed over 134,000 fake accounts, as well as 1,173 accounts impersonating Moldovan officials used in coordinated online disinformation and manipulation campaigns.
In addition, TikTok launched an in-app Electoral Center on August 21, developed in partnership with the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Moldova, which was accessed over 88,000 times. The platform also collaborated with Reuters and the STOP FALS! organization to verify information and create educational materials about disinformation.
"Our mission to keep users safe on TikTok is ongoing. We are adapting our policies and processes to effectively respond to new challenges and threats that may arise during election periods," the social platform points out.
The parliamentary elections of September 28, 2025 were marked by a large-scale disinformation campaign. According to authorities and independent investigations, the Russian Federation invested hundreds of millions of euros in hybrid operations aimed at seizing power in Chisinau and hindering the European path of the Republic of Moldova.
TikTok, Telegram, Facebook and X were the main channels through which falsehoods about alleged electoral fraud, attacks on Maia Sandu and anti-EU messages were spread.
At the same time, the Central Electoral Commission imposed sanctions on some electoral competitors who used online platforms for promotion without reporting expenses, and the Constitutional Court, which validated the election results on October 16, issued an address to the Parliament, requesting the legislative authority to strengthen the authorities' powers in regulating online platforms and to establish effective measures to protect the information space during electoral periods while respecting freedom of expression.
