TikTok has now removed the accounts associated with Russian state media outlets like RT and Sputnik for engaging in “covert influence operations” ahead of the US presidential election.
A few days back Meta also banned RT and other Russian state media networks on all their platforms. Now, TikTok follows suit.
Meta has banned these media networks because they discovered a scheme that had been using right-wing commentators in the US to amplify political division.
The main aim of that project was to push US voters towards the viewpoints beneficial to Russia. Meta took prompt action after the discovery of the network.
Now, TikTok is doing the same as part of its US election integrity measures.
Here is what TikTok said in a statement.
“Over the last week, our work to protect TikTok during the U.S. elections has included removing accounts associated with Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti for engaging in covert influence operations on TikTok which violates our Community Guidelines.”
TikTok also said that the accounts related to the TV-Novosti and Rossiya Segodnya were already restricted in the United Kingdom, and European Union and not allowed to appear in the “For You” feed on the app.
Now, they are completely removing those accounts from the platforms in the wake of an attempt to sway US voters.
The Rossiya Segodnya press service also released a statement and said this. “There are many people from different countries who value an alternative point of view on events happening in the world. And we’ll find ways to put it out there.”
Similar things came to attention back in 2016 when Russian operatives were found to be using social media to nudge US voters.
