TikTok has stopped livestreaming and new content on its platform in Russia due to Russia’s new fake news law. The app declared Sunday.
TikTok stated in a statement that safety is TikTok’s top priority.
TikTok stated that Russia’s fake news law has forced them to suspend livestreaming of new content and to stop new content being added to their video service. This was while they review the safety implications.
It stated that “our in-app messaging services will not be affected.” “We will continue to assess the Russian situation to determine when we may fully resume our services with safety our top priority.”
TikTok stated that it is a platform for creativity and entertainment, which can be a source to relief and human connection in times of war and great tragedy.
This platform is and not the first media outlet to suspend its services in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Parliament passed “fake news,” which makes it illegal to publish information it describes as false about the country’s armed forces. After this announcement, the BBC declared that it would cease reporting in Russia.
According to Roskomnadzor, Russia also blocked Facebook.
Roskomnadzor claimed it had cut off access due to Facebook’s decision last Wednesday to block Russian media outlets such as RT or Sputnik for EU citizens.
The regulator stated that it was decided to ban access to the Facebook network (owned in part by Meta Platforms, Inc.) from the Russian Federation on March 4, 2022.
It listed “26 cases discrimination against Russian media, information resources”, which it claimed were prohibited by Russian laws regarding the dissemination information.
It wasn’t immediately clear if other entities, such as WhatsApp or Instagram, owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta, would be affected.
Meta’s president of global affairs Nick Clegg criticized the decision, and promised to fight back.
Clegg stated in a statement that “Soon millions” of Russians will be cut off from reliable information and deprived of everyday communication with their families and friends. He also said that they would soon be silenced from speaking up.
He said, “We will continue doing everything we can to repair our services so that they remain available for people to safely express themselves and organize for actions.” He didn’t say what the company might do to restore services.
