TikTok Bans Russian State Media Accounts for 'Covert Influence Operations'

The move aims to curb misinformation and protect the integrity of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

TikTok has permanently removed accounts linked to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik for violating community guidelines against deceptive behavior.
The banned accounts were previously restricted in the EU and UK and were not eligible for the 'For You' feed globally.
This action follows similar measures by Meta and YouTube, which also banned Russian state media for foreign interference activities.
The U.S. government has accused RT of operating beyond media functions, embedding cyber teams with ties to Russian intelligence.
TikTok's decision is part of broader efforts to protect its 170 million American users from evolving threats ahead of the 2024 election.