The Chinese social network TikTok announced the suspension of activities in Russia after the adoption of the law on fakes. This is reported RIA News citing a company statement on Twitter.
Our highest priority is the safety of our employees and our users, and in light of Russia’s new “fake news” law, we have no choice but to suspend live streaming and posting new content on our video service while we consider the security implications of doing so.
The company noted that the messaging service will not be affected. TikTok added that it will be evaluating “changing circumstances” in Russia to decide whether to reopen the social network in full.
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On March 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law criminalizing fake news about the Russian Armed Forces (RF Armed Forces), as well as calls for anti-Russian sanctions.
Article 207.3 “Public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation” appeared in the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. According to her, this is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 1.5 million rubles. Violation of the law using one’s official position, out of mercenary motives, as well as on the grounds of political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to 5 million rubles. In case of serious consequences, the punishment will be from 10 to 15 years in prison.
On February 24, the start of a special military operation in the Donbass was announced. Thus, Russia responded to requests for military assistance from the heads of the DPR and LPR.
Blocking social networks in Russia
On March 4, Roskomnadzor decided to block the social network Facebook in Russia. Prior to this, Meta refused to comply with the decision of the Russian authorities to remove restrictions from accounts.
Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma committee on information policy, noted that Facebook has become an instrument of information warfare, in fact, a propaganda department. He suggested that the audience of the social network will move to other platforms and messengers.
Roskomnadzor also began blocking Twitter in Russia. Prior to this, on March 2, the social network announced that it intends to restrict access to Russian state media after the European Union banned the broadcast and distribution of content from Russian publications Sputnik and RT in Europe.
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On March 5, it became known that Instagram had suspended the sale of contextual advertising in Russia. State Duma Deputy, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy Artem Kiryanov indicated that this measure was taken to avoid blocking by analogy with Facebook.
Google has also suspended the sale of ads on its services in Russia. These include ads in search, YouTube, and third-party partners. It is noted that the decision was made in the light of exceptional circumstances.
On March 3, Roskomnadzor demanded that Google stop spreading fake ads. The regulator said that such advertising messages appear on YouTube and contain disinformation aimed at creating a “distorted perception of current events and creating protest moods” among Russian users.
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