TikTok removes covert networks ahead of Hungary vote as disinformation concerns grow

Days before polls open in Hungary’s closely-watched parliamentary elections, the social media platform TikTok said it removed covert networks attempting to sway the result — highlighting concerns about disinformation ahead of a consequential vote.

The company said the networks used fake accounts to post and amplify political content aimed at Hungarian users, including material critical of opposition leader Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party as well as content targeting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz. TikTok said it also removed hundreds of impersonating accounts and thousands of videos that violated its election policies.

TikTok told Recorded Future News it had since December banned more than 300 accounts for impersonating Hungarian election candidates and elected officials. It said it had also taken action against six covert influence networks, the majority of which TikTok said spread narratives favourable to the Fidesz political party, with some of the smaller networks targeting Hungarian audiences with narratives critical of Fidesz and Orbán.

The disclosures come as campaigning enters its final phase ahead of what analysts say will be a geopolitically significant vote that could reshape Hungary’s position within the European Union and influence Western unity over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Orbán, in power since 2010, faces what many observers describe as the most serious electoral challenge of his tenure. His main rival, Magyar, is a former Fidesz insider who has rallied support among opposition voters and is leading in some pre-election polls, as reported by Reuters. More than a quarter of voters remain undecided.

Hungarian fact-checkers and researchers say misleading or fabricated political content, often targeting Magyar, has circulated widely during the campaign. Fact-checking outlet Lakmusz detailed false narratives about the opposition leader appearing on fake websites impersonating legitimate sources, including claims he plans a “coup” if defeated and that his party would reinstate compulsory military service.

Lakmusz said the activity showed similarities to earlier influence operations that researchers have linked to Russian actors, including coordinated messaging and the use of deceptive online infrastructure. It did not present direct evidence that the current activity was directed by the Kremlin.

Separately, investigative outlet Direkt36 reported what it described as a “well-organized operation” targeting the Tisza Party’s IT systems. According to Direkt36, individuals connected to the party attempted to expose the activity, after which authorities opened a criminal investigation into those individuals and carried out searches at the homes of IT specialists assisting the party.

Hungarian authorities have not publicly detailed the full basis for the investigation. Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said on social media that Ukrainian intelligence, in cooperation with members of the opposition and a journalist, was responsible. He did not provide evidence for the claim. The IT Army of Ukraine told Recorded Future News it denied all allegations of involvement.

Fidesz party campaign chief Balázs Orbán has also accused social media platforms of suppressing campaign materials, alleging “some users have been unable to like Fidesz-related content on Facebook for the past few days,” as reported by Euro News. Fact checkers have disputed his claims.

Hungarian media have also reported influence activity in the other direction. Independent outlet Telex identified “troll farm” networks supporting Fidesz, while domestic groups critical of Orbán said they had tracked AI-generated content targeting the opposition.

A spokesperson for Meta said it had imposed “no restrictions on the Prime Minister’s accounts, nor have any posts been removed. Our Community Standards and policies apply equally to everybody and we have systems in place to detect any coordinated efforts to abuse our reporting systems.”

Foreign influence

During a visit to Budapest this week, U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused the European Union of interfering in Hungary’s election and voiced support for Orbán, drawing criticism from opposition figures who described the remarks as inappropriate intervention in a domestic vote.

Hungarian officials and pro-government voices have similarly accused EU institutions and Western actors of attempting to shape Hungary’s political direction, often pointing to funding for civil society groups and criticism from Brussels over rule-of-law concerns as evidence of outside pressure.

Hungary’s relationship with Russia has become a central issue in the campaign. Orbán has maintained closer political and economic ties with Moscow than most EU leaders, including long-term energy agreements, and has opposed some EU measures supporting Ukraine.

Orbán has defended that approach as pragmatic, citing Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy and the need to protect national economic interests. Analysts say the election could have implications beyond Hungary, particularly in EU decision-making, where Budapest has at times delayed or blocked consensus on sanctions and military assistance for Ukraine.

Recent reporting has pointed to continued efforts by Orbán to deepen bilateral cooperation with the Kremlin. Documents recently reported by Politico indicate Hungary and Russia agreed on a 12-point plan covering areas including energy, education and cultural ties, underscoring the strategic importance both sides place on the relationship.

The New York Times reported that Orbán’s stance on Russia and the war in Ukraine has become a defining dividing line in the campaign, quoting analyst Péter Krekó as saying Hungary’s relationship with Moscow reflects “open Russian cooperation” rather than covert interference.

Hungarians go to the polls on Sunday.