TikTok removes accounts linked to Russian media for attempting ‘covert influence’ on the US election.

TikTok has taken down accounts linked to two Russian media groups, accusing them of attempting to exert “covert influence” on the upcoming U.S. presidential election, which violates the platform’s rules. These accounts were connected to Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, the organizations behind Sputnik and RT respectively, both labeled as “state-affiliated.

” This follows a similar move by Meta, which recently banned Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and related entities from its platforms globally, citing “foreign interference.”

Neither Rossiya Segodnya nor RT responded to CNN’s request for comment. Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department charged two RT employees for funneling almost $10 million into a U.S. company, identified as Tenet Media by CNN, to create content that supported Russian state interests ahead of the election.

Tenet Media features prominent right-wing, pro-Trump voices such as Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, who all claimed they were unaware of the alleged Russian scheme.

RT’s response to the Justice Department’s allegations was dismissive, without addressing the specific claims. Meanwhile, TikTok itself has faced scrutiny over potential manipulation of its algorithm by the Chinese government, as its parent company, ByteDance, is based in China.

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that could result in a nationwide ban on TikTok unless the company finds a new owner, a decision currently being challenged in court.