Meta bans Russian state media outlet RT after US DoJ accuses it of ‘foreign interference’

Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, announced the global ban of the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT, along with other Kremlin-affiliated networks. This action was taken in response to allegations of deceptive influence operations and an attempt to evade detection.

The ban marks another significant step in Meta’s ongoing enforcement against Russian state media, with the company having previously limited their ability to run ads.

The decision to impose this ban followed charges by the US Department of Justice, which accused RT employees of funnelling approximately $10 million into an American company to promote content favourable to Russian interests.

This effort, the Department suggested, was intended to influence the American public ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. The company at the centre of this scheme, Tenet Media, is known for hosting several pro-Trump commentators, who have since claimed they were unaware of any involvement in the alleged Russian operation.

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RT’s response to the accusations was dismissive, choosing to mock the claims rather than addressing the specifics of the charges. This reaction came despite the US Justice Department’s ongoing crackdown on Russian state media.

In a related move, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently criticised RT’s leadership for reportedly using online fundraising to support military operations in Ukraine.

Before the ban, RT had amassed a significant following on Meta’s platforms, with over seven million followers on Facebook and one million on Instagram.

Meta’s move to block RT and related entities comes after a prolonged struggle with Russian state actors, which began in earnest following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At that time, Meta had already restricted Russian state media from running ads on its platforms.

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As Meta continues its battle against foreign interference, tech leaders from Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet are expected to testify before the US Senate Intelligence Committee. The focus will be on how these companies are tackling the challenge of foreign influence and protecting the integrity of US elections from external threats.