TikTok permanently bans Russian media accounts over election interference

TikTok has taken a significant step for its approximately 170 million users in the US, announcing that it has permanently banned the accounts belonging to Russian media outlets RT and Sputnik. TikTok, whose parent company is the Chinese firm ByteDance, stated that it made this decision because these accounts were making "voter-deceptive posts" regarding the US presidential elections.

In a statement on its website, TikTok noted that TV-Novosti and Rossiya Segodnya, to which RT and Sputnik are affiliated, were spreading misinformation through methods known as "covert influence operations" and "violated policies prohibiting political propaganda." The company emphasized that such posts jeopardize safety on the platform and the ability of users to access accurate information.

Furthermore, it was reported that these accounts have been similarly restricted in the European Union (EU) and the UK. In a statement made via the X social media platform, Sputnik announced that its 86 thousand subscribers on TikTok "will not be able to learn the truth about the most urgent geopolitical issues" and stated that this situation is a major loss for them.

TikTok's decision is seen as a development reflecting the increasing responsibilities of social media platforms regarding election security and the fight against misinformation. The company announced that it will continue to take similar measures to ensure that users have access to accurate and reliable information.

News Source: AA