TikTok has removed accounts associated with Russian media groups RT and Sputnik for attempting to influence the upcoming US presidential election covertly.
Labelled as ‘state-affiliated’, these accounts violated TikTok’s guidelines, prompting swift action from the platform.
TikTok’s Action Against Covert Influence
TikTok identified and removed accounts linked to Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, the organisations behind Sputnik and RT respectively. These groups have been accused of attempting to exert ‘covert influence’ on the upcoming US presidential election.
In a statement on its website, TikTok labelled these entities as ‘state-affiliated’ and confirmed their removal due to guideline violations.
Response to Previous Measures
TikTok’s decision mirrors a similar action taken by another social media giant, Meta, which banned Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and related entities for ‘foreign interference activity’. This shows a coordinated effort to counteract misinformation and covert influence on social media platforms.
Rossiya Segodnya and RT did not immediately respond to requests for comment on TikTok’s actions. The lack of immediate response suggests a potential strategy to reassess their approach to influence operations.
US Justice Department Charges
Earlier this month, the US Justice Department announced charges against two employees of RT for allegedly funneling close to $10 million to a US-based company, Tenet Media, to create and amplify content aligning with Russian state interests.
The covert influence campaign targeted the American public ahead of the presidential election, as confirmed by US officials.
Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, and other high-profile right-wing commentators claimed to be victims of this alleged scheme.
TikTok’s Own Challenges
TikTok has faced scrutiny over whether the Chinese government can manipulate its algorithm to influence American users. The platform, used by 170 million Americans, is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. This connection has raised concerns about potential foreign interference.
In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that could potentially lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok unless it finds a new owner. TikTok has since challenged this bill in court.
The court battle underscores the broader geopolitical tensions influencing social media operations.
Broader Context of Social Media Regulation
The issue of foreign influence on social media is not confined to a single platform. Various governments and organisations are increasingly scrutinising the role of social media in shaping public opinion, especially concerning elections.
The coordinated actions of social media platforms against entities like RT and Sputnik reflect a broader trend towards increased regulation and oversight.
This trend aims to preserve the integrity of democratic processes worldwide.
Immediate Implications
TikTok’s removal of these accounts just before the US election underscores the platform’s commitment to combating misinformation and foreign interference. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
The actions taken by TikTok may serve as a precedent for other platforms to follow, potentially leading to more stringent enforcement of guidelines against covert influence operations.
Future Prospects
Moving forward, social media platforms are likely to enhance their monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to detect and prevent influence campaigns. This proactive approach is crucial in maintaining the credibility and reliability of information shared online.
TikTok’s action against accounts linked to Russian media is a significant step in addressing foreign interference in the US election.
This move, aligned with broader industry efforts, highlights the ongoing battle against misinformation on social media platforms.
