TikTok has announced the removal of accounts belonging to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik, citing their involvement in “covert influence operations.” This decision comes as part of a broader crackdown on misinformation and manipulation by state actors on social media platforms.
In a statement, TikTok clarified that the accounts associated with TV-Novosti and Rossiya Segodnya — the parent organizations of RT and Sputnik — violated the platform’s community guidelines, particularly the prohibition against deceptive behavior. As a result, these accounts have been permanently banned.
This move aligns with actions taken by other tech giants, such as Meta and YouTube, which have also suspended Russian state media accounts this month. However, platforms like X have not taken similar actions.
The Biden administration has accused RT of functioning as an extension of Russian intelligence agencies, further complicating the narrative surrounding these media outlets. Federal prosecutors recently charged two RT employees for orchestrating a $10 million scheme to promote Russia-aligned narratives while obscuring funding sources.
In response to the removal, representatives from RT and Sputnik expressed their discontent, claiming that their ability to inform audiences on critical geopolitical issues has been severely restricted. Sputnik lamented on social media that their 86,000 subscribers are now deprived of important information.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Russian media outlets have evolved beyond traditional journalism, transforming into instruments of covert intelligence operations. TikTok has previously restricted the visibility of these accounts in the EU and the UK, and deemed their content ineligible for its popular “For You” feed.
Notably, TikTok revealed that it had dismantled five covert influence operations in August alone, highlighting the platform’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and foreign manipulation.
In an attempt to counter these actions, RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, vowed to continue operating in the U.S., asserting the organization’s resilience in the face of restrictions.
As the situation develops, the implications for media freedom and the fight against disinformation remain at the forefront of discussions globally.
