Meta Bans Russian State Media on Global Scale Amid Foreign Interference Accusations
Meta has announced a global ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, due to their involvement in foreign interference activities. This decision, made late Monday, September 16, follows increasing scrutiny and accusations from U.S. authorities alleging that these outlets have funneled significant funds through shell entities to finance covert influence campaigns across various social media platforms.
According to an unsealed indictment, Russian state-funded RT was implicated in a scheme to distribute over $10 million in funds intended for influence operations, reaching platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. The indictment noted that RT had previously suspended its formal operations in regions including the UK, Canada, the EU, and the U.S. due to sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
U.S. prosecutors cited a memo from an editor-in-chief of RT, highlighting the existence of an extensive empire of covert projects aimed at manipulating public opinion internationally. One of the operations was reportedly led by an online content creation company in Tennessee, which had produced nearly 2,000 videos generating over 16 million views on YouTube since its inception in late 2023. Notably, the indictment detailed how producers at this company were pressured to post content without disclosing its financial backing by RT.
RT has been known for executing malign influence operations, particularly in nations opposing its policies, including the United States. These efforts, outlined in the indictment, aimed to exacerbate domestic divisions and diminish resistance to Russian governmental objectives.
Since 2017, Russia has emerged as a principal source of covert influence operations on Meta's platforms, with such endeavors intensifying post-invasion of Ukraine. The latest revelations from the State Department confirm these threats, asserting that the operations are not only designed for influence but are also part of a broader strategy connected to Russian intelligence services.
In an ongoing effort to counter these tactics, the State Department has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to alert other nations about RT's covert operational methods and is urging them to take necessary actions to mitigate Russia's capacity for interfering in foreign elections and obtaining military resources for its conflict in Ukraine.
Meta had previously implemented bans on other entities linked to Russia, including the Federal News Agency, to curb foreign interference. The platform has reiterated its commitment to monitor and restrict operations that threaten the integrity of information and the safety of its users worldwide.
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