Meta announced on Monday that they are banning Russian state media outlets from their apps globally due to “foreign interference activity.” This decision follows the United States accusing RT of funneling $10 million through shell entities to fund covert influence campaigns on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The ban includes entities like Rossiya Segodnya and RT on apps like Facebook and Instagram.
RT was previously forced to cease operations in various countries due to sanctions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. US prosecutors revealed that RT was involved in creating covert projects aimed at shaping public opinion in Western audiences.
The indictment also highlighted a content creation company in Tennessee funded and directed by RT, which produced nearly 2,000 videos supported by Russia. Meta has been actively disrupting covert influence operations, especially from Russia, since 2017, with a significant increase after the invasion of Ukraine.
The US State Department emphasized Russia’s use of RT for intelligence and influence operations worldwide. They are working to inform governments of Russia’s actions and limit its ability to interfere in foreign affairs. Join the fight against foreign interference by supporting independent journalism in Ukraine.
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