NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Askume) – Facebook owner Meta (META.O) said on Monday it would ban RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks from using its platform, claiming they use deceptive tactics to conduct covert influence operations online.
The ban marks a sharp escalation in the world’s largest social media company’s campaign against Russian state media, after it had spent years taking more limited measures such as blocking ads and reducing the reach of its posts.
The social media company said in a written statement: “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement efforts against Russian state media. RIA Novosti, RT and other related entities are now banned globally for foreign interference activities on our app.
It is being told that this ban will start being implemented in the coming days. Apart from Facebook, Meta’s apps include Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.
The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to a Askume request for comment. The White House declined to comment.
Meta’s move comes after the United States earlier this month brought money laundering charges against two RT employees , with authorities saying they planned to hire a US company to produce online content to influence the 2024 election.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that countries should treat the activities of Russian state broadcaster RT like a covert intelligence operation.
RT mocked the US action and accused the US of trying to prevent the broadcaster from operating as a news organisation.
Meta said in briefing materials shared with Askume that it has seen Russian state-controlled media attempt to evade detection of their online activities in the past and expects they will continue to attempt to engage in deceptive conduct in the future.
