TikTok has banned dozens of accounts associated with Russian state-owned media outlets, including RT and TV-Novosti, citing concerns over potential influence operations ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
This move follows similar actions by other tech companies, including Meta, which recently blocked Kremlin-backed media outlets for allegedly engaging in deceptive influence tactics.
In a statement, TikTok explained that while it initially tried to limit the reach of Russian state-affiliated media by labeling their content, it ultimately decided to remove the accounts to mitigate security risks.
Russian news agency RT confirmed that nearly 40 Sputnik accounts were also deleted, with no official explanation from TikTok.
The ban comes as U.S. authorities step up efforts to combat Russian disinformation campaigns. Earlier in September, the U.S. government shut down 32 websites linked to Russian influence operations and charged two Russian nationals for allegedly financing U.S.-based influencers to promote Kremlin-aligned propaganda.
TikTok’s decision, while aligned with U.S. policy, is being closely watched due to the platform’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. U.S. officials have previously raised concerns about TikTok’s role in spreading misinformation and its potential privacy risks.
