TikTok has deleted accounts linked to two Russian media groups for attempting to exert what it described as “covert influence” on the upcoming U.S. presidential election, violating its community guidelines.
The affected accounts are associated with Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, which operate the Sputnik news agency and RT broadcaster, respectively. TikTok labeled these groups as “state-affiliated” in a statement on its website.
This action follows Meta’s recent announcement of a global ban on Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and related entities for “foreign interference activity” on its platforms.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department charged two RT employees for channeling nearly $10 million into a U.S. company, Tenet Media, to produce and promote content that favored Russian state interests. Officials indicated that this covert campaign targeted the American public in the lead-up to the presidential election.
Tenet Media features a roster of prominent right-wing, pro-Trump commentators, including Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, among others. Each of these commentators has claimed they are victims of the alleged Russian operation.
In response to the Justice Department’s announcement, RT issued sarcastic remarks that did not directly address the specifics of the U.S. allegations.
TikTok has also faced scrutiny regarding the potential influence of the Chinese government on its algorithm, raising concerns about the platform’s capacity to sway American public opinion. Owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok is utilized by 170 million Americans for content related to sports, fashion, and politics.
In April, President Joe Biden signed legislation that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok in the U.S. unless the app undergoes a change in ownership. TikTok has since challenged this move in court.
