Czech authorities are investigating hundreds of fake accounts on TikTok suspected of attempting to sway the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections in favor of anti-establishment parties. On September 28, the portal Deník N reported that the network is spreading pro-Russian narratives, attacking the EU and NATO, and amplifying the positions of the populist SPD (“Freedom and Direct Democracy”) and Stačilo! (“Enough!”).
Automated accounts boosting pro-Russian content
Experts from the Czech Center for Online Risk Research identified nearly 300 interconnected accounts that artificially inflated the reach of their posts to millions of weekly views. The accounts, which show signs of automation, coordinate likes, comments, and shares within seconds of publication, making TikTok’s algorithm treat the content as popular and promote it to real users. Frequent errors in Czech diacritics and sudden language switches further point to non-authentic, bot-driven activity.
The Czech Telecommunications Office (ČTÚ) is in talks with TikTok and relevant institutions, while the government has opened consultations with the European Commission. Officials believe the operation resembles a troll factory and forms part of a wider strategy to undermine Czech democracy.
Elections approaching amid concerns over Russian influence
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 3–4, 2025. Polls show the populist opposition ANO, led by former prime minister Andrej Babiš, in the lead, followed by the governing Spolu coalition under Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Analysts say Babiš is well-positioned to form the next government, potentially with support from SPD.
Babiš has repeatedly criticized military and financial aid to Ukraine as well as the current sanctions regime against Russia. He has pledged to halt Prague’s initiative to supply ammunition to Kyiv if elected. Observers warn that such a shift could align Czech policy more closely with Moscow’s interests.
Kremlin strategy targets younger voters
According to security analysts, the Kremlin’s objective goes beyond boosting pro-Russian parties. The coordinated activity aims to destabilize democratic processes, erode trust in institutions, and deepen divisions within Czech society. TikTok is a particularly strategic tool, as younger voters could play a decisive role in the election outcome.
Pro-Russian campaigns have previously been documented in other countries, where Russian-linked disinformation spread across TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and X. Narratives often included false corruption allegations and anti-establishment rhetoric designed to weaken pro-Western governments.
Calls for stronger cybersecurity cooperation
Czech officials have warned that if left unchecked, such influence operations could serve as a precedent for larger campaigns in future elections. Experts stress the need to strengthen national cybersecurity, enhance cooperation with social media platforms, and coordinate defensive measures at the EU level to counter Russian information warfare.
