Report: TikTok's role in the country is growing, including in manipulating public opinion

Bulgaria is among the EU countries with the highest number of reports of violations of the platform's content rules. The report notes that online manipulation based on algorithms is used in the country, and then reinforced by political actors. Campaigns spreading misleading and false claims are amplified through social media and so-called “mushroom” websites (with unclear ownership, no permanent address and no original content).

Facebook remains the leading social network in Bulgaria, followed by YouTube. Meanwhile, populist and extremist organizations tend to focus more on TikTok, seeking gain direct access to young people.