- TikTok bans Russian state media accounts
- Action targets “covert influence operations”
- Follows similar moves by Meta platforms
The popular video-sharing app TikTok has taken action against accounts linked to Russian state media, citing their involvement in “covert influence operations.” This move is part of the platform’s broader efforts to curb disinformation ahead of the upcoming US presidential election in November.
The accounts impacted belong to Rossiya Segodnya, a media group that operates RIA Novosti and Sputnik news services, as well as TV-Novosti, which oversees the RT news channel. Previously, these accounts were restricted in the UK and the EU, with their content labeled as state-controlled media. Now, TikTok has imposed a permanent ban on them worldwide.
This follows a similar decision by Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, which recently blocked Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other entities for engaging in “foreign interference activity.”
In response to Meta’s actions, RT criticized the US tech giant, accusing it of “censoring the flow of information globally.” The Kremlin also condemned Meta, claiming the company was “discrediting itself” by blocking the Russian networks. TikTok has yet to receive a formal response from Russian authorities regarding its own ban.
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The bans come amid heightened scrutiny, following charges filed by the US government against two RT employees earlier this month for allegedly attempting to hire an American company to produce online content aimed at influencing the election. Additionally, in July, the US Department of Justice shut down nearly 1,000 social media bot accounts, accusing them of spreading Russian disinformation.
These actions are reminiscent of the accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 US presidential election, with a Senate committee concluding that Russia conducted a sophisticated campaign to boost Donald Trump’s candidacy.
Ironically, TikTok itself faces potential legal challenges in the US, as new legislation threatens to ban the app over concerns that it could share user data with the Chinese government.
