Russian Government Prepares to Ban TikTok, Mandate Exclusive Use of Russian-Only Social Media Apps: Report

Russia is poised to implement a ban on the popular social media app TikTok, aiming to steer its population towards exclusively using Russian-made apps.

The decision, announced by Roskomnadzor, Russia's media oversight agency, seeks to encourage a shift towards domestic media platforms, diverging from TikTok's content prompts.

Ekaterina Mizulina, Russia's internet authority and purported associate of President Vladimir Putin, was quick to address the matter, initially acknowledging the proposal on Telegram, the Daily Star reported.

Mizulina stated, "In Russia they proposed blocking TikTok. The proposal came from the Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers. In this way they want to increase the number of subscribers on Russian social networks. Roskomnadzor will consider their appeal by May 8.”

However, the move has sparked skepticism globally, particularly following revelations of TikTok's collaboration with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence's Defence Intelligence to combat Russian propaganda on the platform.

Ukrainian officials characterized Russia's action as a "psyop" intended to manipulate public opinion.

A spokesperson remarked, “Recently, videos have appeared one after another on TikTok and other social networks, on which allegedly Ukrainian men are filming themselves abroad on vacation and calling themselves ‘evaders.’”

Despite varied responses from audiences, these videos rapidly gain traction, fueled by discussions that inadvertently promote them.

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The Kremlin's propaganda continues its efforts to destabilize Ukrainian society and tarnish the image of Ukraine's defenders, employing any available means, the spokesperson said.

The statement concluded with a call for vigilance against misinformation and a reminder of the importance of defending Ukraine's freedoms, including the ability to access diverse content on social media platforms.