TikTok has announced the removal of several profiles linked to Russian media groups, accusing them of engaging in “covert influence operations” ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. The video-sharing platform revealed on Monday that it had taken down accounts associated with Russian media companies Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti for violating its community guidelines.
Although TikTok did not disclose which specific accounts were removed, Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik have been permanently banned from the platform, according to reports from NBC News.
Restricting Russian Influence
TikTok explained that prior to this action, it had already restricted the visibility of these accounts in the European Union and the United Kingdom, and barred their content from appearing in the platform’s “For You” recommendations globally. The company cited concerns about their attempts to influence foreign audiences on global events and political issues. TikTok also plans to provide further details about the accounts removed in its upcoming September report on “Covert Influence Operations”. In August, TikTok had already removed five networks for similar activities.
As part of its efforts to protect its more than 170 million U.S. users, TikTok stated that it had hired additional personnel to safeguard against “evolving threats” ahead of the U.S. election.
Broader Response to Russian Media
The Biden administration has recently accused RT of operating as an arm of Moscow’s intelligence agencies. Social media platforms Meta and YouTube have also taken action by suspending Russian state media accounts. However, other tech companies like X (formerly Twitter) have allowed RT and Sputnik to remain active.
Response from Russian Media
Representatives for RT and Sputnik did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, both outlets have criticized the move, with Sputnik stating on X that its 86,000 subscribers are now “no longer allowed to know the truth about the most urgent geopolitical issues” and mock Western politicians through its videos.
This action underscores the increasing scrutiny that social media platforms face over their role in combating misinformation and foreign influence, particularly in the lead-up to major political events like the U.S. presidential election.
