TikTok bans dozens of Russian state media accounts over security concerns ahead of US election

TikTok bans accounts tied to Russian state media, citing security risks.

TikTok has banned dozens of accounts associated with Russian state-owned media outlets, including RT and TV-Novosti, citing concerns over influence operations ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

The platform's decision follows similar actions by other tech giants, including Meta, which recently blocked Kremlin-backed media for allegedly engaging in deceptive influence tactics.

In a statement, TikTok said it previously sought to limit the reach of Russian state-affiliated media by labeling their content, but ultimately removed the accounts to address the security risks they posed.

Russian news agency RT reported that nearly 40 Sputnik accounts were also deleted, with no explanation provided by TikTok.

The ban comes as U.S. authorities intensify efforts to counter Russian disinformation campaigns. Earlier in September, the U.S. government took down 32 websites tied to Russian influence operations and charged two Russian nationals for financing U.S.-based influencers to spread Kremlin-aligned propaganda.

TikTok’s actions, while aligned with U.S. policy, occur amid ongoing scrutiny over the platform's ties to Chinese parent company ByteDance. U.S. officials have previously raised concerns about the app's potential role in spreading misinformation and posing privacy risks.