European Commission split over whether to join TikTok
A debate is unfolding inside the European Commission over whether it should create an official TikTok account, though officials say no policy change is imminent. Some in commissioners' cabinets are frustrated the institution is absent from a platform where young Europeans increasingly get their news.
The European Commission is divided internally over whether it should establish an official presence on TikTok. The Commission says it continues to monitor the platform's evolution, particularly regarding data protection and cybersecurity concerns, and there is little indication its current policy will shift soon.
According to an official familiar with internal discussions, Dana Spinant, the Commission's director-general for communications, opposes setting up an official account. Spinant did not respond to a request for comment.
Frustration among staff
A separate official said there is frustration within some commissioners' cabinets that Brussels has no presence on a platform where young Europeans increasingly turn for news and opinions. Another official pointed out that Russia shows no such hesitation in using social media to shape European public opinion, arguing the Commission cannot afford to cede that ground.
The internal debate comes as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her fellow commissioners work to reach more Europeans through social media. Von der Leyen is expected to invite influencers, including some active on TikTok, to her State of the Union address this month. One official called it ironic that the Commission encourages influencers to spread its message on a platform it refuses to join itself.
For now, the Commission is leaning more heavily on YouTube, the U.S.-based platform where it has more than 500,000 subscribers.
