AI-Driven Disinformation Bots Target Czech Elections on TikTok
Hundreds of inauthentic accounts on TikTok attempted to interfere in the Czech parliamentary elections on October 3-4, 2025, spreading disinformation and pro-Kremlin narratives. TikTok removed dozens of accounts and implemented additional safety measures after the Czech Office of Telecommunications reported the activity and the European Commission intervened.
What happened
TikTok removed dozens of accounts reported for attempting to interfere in Czech parliamentary elections held on October 3-4, 2025. Researchers reported hundreds of accounts displaying inauthentic behavior, and the platform eliminated dozens of them, according to the Czech Office of Telecommunications.
Online Risk Labs identified 286 TikTok accounts with a cumulative audience of 5 to 9 million weekly views that appeared to promote far-right and far-left extremist parties. The content included glorification of Vladimir Putin, disinformation, narratives legitimizing Russian aggression in Ukraine, and demonstrations of Russian military power.
Reported impact
The Czech election campaign was affected by false news and propaganda, ranging from disinformation websites translating content directly from sanctioned Russian sources to bots impersonating candidates on social media.
Intelligence services warned that networks of bot accounts on TikTok were pushing pro-Kremlin narratives. The identified accounts reached wider audiences than many party leaders.
Index analysis
TikTok stated it had proactively removed 98.5% of content violating its election integrity, disinformation, and AI-generated content rules by August 1, and deleted 46 accounts impersonating officials. The platform implemented additional safety measures before the Czech elections, including an in-app election center.
The European Commission held an urgent meeting with TikTok to discuss the platform's response to disinformation targeting the elections. After the meeting, TikTok removed additional bot accounts.
Governance controls
TikTok implemented proactive safety and security measures ahead of the Czech elections, including an in-app election center providing authorized voting information.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.