The European Parliament is preparing to use TikTok during the upcoming election campaign despite EU institutions banning it from corporate devices last year due to cybersecurity concerns, the press service confirmed to Euractiv.

While the ban on using the social media platform on institutional devices will remain in place, the Parliament’s press service explained it will still maintain a TikTok presence ahead of the European Parliament elections, which will take place in early June.

“The Directorate General for Communication plans to set up an institutional presence on the platform without initially using European Parliament devices and networks,” the press service told Euractiv.

“This would allow the [European Parliament] to fight disinformation and get the message across while keeping Parliament systems secure,” the press service added.

The Conference of Presidents (CoP), the EU Parliament’s body responsible for setting the plenary session agendas, is expected to discuss the matter at its meeting next Thursday, 8 February, Euractiv learned from multiple sources close to the matter.

The CoP will also likely approve a debate for the next plenary session at the end of February on foreign interference during the European elections, together with the rule of law Commissioner Věra Jourová, an internal document from the European Parliament, seen by Euractiv, states.

The first ban of the Chinese-owned social media application occurred in the European Commission when the IT service requested staff to uninstall TikTok from corporate devices.

At the time, the European Commission’s IT service justified the decision by mentioning protection concerns of commission data and the need to “increase its cybersecurity,” Euractiv reported.

The European Parliament followed suit a few days later (28 February).

In the meantime, political groups and members of the European Parliament are already using TikTok on their personal devices for the campaign.

Election strategy

The European Parliament is investing €37 million in its communication strategy to encourage people to vote, Euractiv reported in September.

Among the so-called ‘multiplayers’ for the campaign identified by the parliament, there are ‘celebrities’ who will be asked to bring youngsters and first-time voters to the polls.

LEAK: European Parliament wants ‘celebrities’ to promote June EU elections

The European Parliament has identified ‘celebrities’ across Europe as being key to promoting the next EU elections, EURACTIV has learned from a note the Parliament’s bureau is set to approve next Monday (11 September).

European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas publicly asked US popstar Taylor Swift to call on youngsters to vote at a press conference in January.

Brussels woos Taylor Swift to draw young voters for EU election

The EU on Wednesday (10 January) called on US pop icon Taylor Swift to help young voters shake off any apathy and head to the polls at European elections in June.

“Taylor Swift last September, she made a social media call to young Americans to register to vote, and the day after her post, 35,000 young Americans registered,” Schinas told journalists.

“Now, Taylor Swift on May 9 – Europe Day – will be in Paris for a concert, so I would very much hope that she does the same for young Europeans,” he added.

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