Meta bans RT and other Russian state media networks

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Facebook owner Meta said on Monday it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks from its platforms, claiming
the outlets had used deceptive tactics to carry out covert influence operations online, Reuters reported.The ban marks a sharp escalation in
actions by the world&s biggest social media company against Russian state media, after it spent years taking more limited steps such as
blocking the outlets from running ads and reducing the reach of their posts.&After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing
enforcement against Russian state media outlets
Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity,& the social media
company said in a written statement.Enforcement of the ban would roll out over the coming days, it said
In addition to Facebook, Meta&s apps include Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to a Reuters
request for comment
The White House declined to comment, read the report.Meta&s move came after the United States filed money-laundering charges earlier this
month against two RT employees for what officials said was a scheme to hire an American company to produce online content to influence the
2024 election.U.S
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that countries should treat the activities of Russian state broadcaster RT as they do
covert intelligence operations.RT has mocked the U.S
actions and accused the United States of trying to prevent the broadcaster from operating as a journalistic organization, Reuters
reported.In briefing materials shared with Reuters, Meta said it had seen Russian state-controlled media try to evade detection in their
online activities in the past and expected them to continue trying to engage in deceptive practices going forward.The post Meta bans RT and
other Russian state media networks first appeared on Ariana News.