As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Meta makes a bold move to combat Russian state media’s influence on American voters. With just six weeks left until the election, Meta has announced an expanded ban on accounts affiliated with Russian state media. This decision comes after recent investigations revealed that Russia-based groups have been actively trying to sway the opinions of U.S. voters.
According to Reuters, Meta has banned RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and other Russian state media networks from its platforms. The ban was imposed due to the outlets’ use of deceptive tactics to carry out covert influence operations online. The United States also filed money-laundering charges against two RT employees for attempting to hire an American company to produce online content aimed at influencing the 2024 election.
Tenet Media, a front media company based in Tennessee, was found to have been paying right-wing commentators in the U.S. to amplify political division. This scheme involved well-known online commentators like Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Dave Rubin, who were unknowingly used by Russian state media to stoke voter angst.
This is not the first time foreign influence operations have targeted U.S. elections. In 2016, Russian groups used Facebook ads and groups to provoke American voters, leading to speculation about their impact on the election. The goal is not always to favor one candidate over another but to raise awareness of hidden agendas that benefit the sponsoring country.
Meta has been actively countering Russian influence operations, including efforts to weaken international support for Ukraine. The tech giant has been vigilant in monitoring and eliminating initiatives like “Doppelganger,” a large network of websites spoofing legitimate news outlets.
Despite facing backlash, Meta remains committed to combating misinformation and foreign influence. Other social platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have also taken action against Russian state media in the past. With the election drawing closer, Meta’s decisive actions signal a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.