European Commission Vice President Viera Jourova today invited Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and TikTok to do more to counter what he called Russia’s “multi-billion-euro weapon of mass manipulation” ahead of upcoming European elections.

Concerns have grown in recent months on disinformation related to the parliamentary elections to be held on 30 September in Slovakia and next month in Poland, as well as to the European elections to be held next year.

“The Russian state has engaged in the war of ideas to pollute our information space with half-truths and lies to create a false image that democracy is no better than authoritarianism,” the commissioner said at a press conference.

“Today this is a multi-million euro weapon of mass manipulation,” he pointed out.

“The ‘very big platforms’ have to deal with this quagmire. Especially as you have to we expect the Kremlin and others to take action before an election.”

Eurova issued a warning to X (formerly Twitter), which withdrew from the EU’s voluntary code of good practice in May. however, under the Digital Services Act (DSA) it is still a “very large online platform” and subject to stricter regulations regarding its content.

“Mr (Elon) Musk knows he is not off the hook for leaving the code of practice because we have now brought the Digital Services Act into full force. So my message to Twitter is that you have to comply with the law and we will be watching what you do,” he said.