Sarah Travers
In a move to safeguard the upcoming U.S. presidential election, TikTok has blocked accounts linked to Russian state media. These accounts were tied to major Russian outlets Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, which run the Sputnik news agency and RT broadcaster. The Chinese-owned platform, popular among 170 million Americans, stated that these media organizations were involved in attempts to meddle in U.S. political affairs. This decision showcases TikTok’s commitment to reducing foreign interference on its platform, which is used for a wide range of content, from entertainment to political discourse.
This action follows in the footsteps of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which recently took similar measures against Russian media outlets such as RT and Rossiya Segodnya. Meta’s ban targeted entities involved in foreign interference activities across the globe. These steps underline growing concerns over the influence of foreign state-backed media on social networks, particularly during sensitive periods like election campaigns. As of now, neither Rossiya Segodnya nor RT have issued any public statements regarding the recent ban.
In addition to social media platforms, the U.S. government has taken its own steps to combat Russian interference. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice charged two RT employees with orchestrating a scheme that funneled nearly $10 million into a U.S.-based media company called Tenet Media. According to U.S. officials, these funds were used to spread content that aligned with Russian state interests in a bid to influence American voters ahead of the 2024 election. This covert campaign, they allege, was designed to shape public opinion in favor of Russia.
Tenet Media, which features several prominent conservative commentators, was allegedly used to push pro-Russian narratives. The commentators, including Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, have each stated they were unaware of the scheme and consider themselves victims of this interference effort.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, RT has responded with ridicule, downplaying the U.S. Department of Justice’s claims and dismissing the charges as baseless without addressing specific accusations.
While TikTok’s decision to remove the Russian accounts is seen as a proactive step, the platform still faces scrutiny over its own potential exposure to foreign influence. Many U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns that TikTok, being owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could be vulnerable to manipulation by the Chinese government. This possibility has fueled calls for stricter regulations on the platform.
President Joe Biden added fuel to the debate in April by signing legislation that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok unless the platform distances itself from Chinese ownership. ByteDance has since challenged the proposed ban in court, rejecting claims that TikTok is being used as a tool for foreign interference.
As platforms like TikTok and Meta continue to crack down on foreign meddling, the U.S. government remains vigilant, highlighting the need to protect digital spaces from interference as the 2024 election approaches.
