TikTok has halted new video uploads and live streaming for its 36 million Russian users, citing the country’s recently enacted “Fake News” regulations as a threat to the safety of its employees and users.
Anyone who transmits “false information” about Russia’s military might face a 15-year prison sentence under the bill, which was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week.
“We have no choice but to suspend live streaming and new content to our video service in light of Russia’s new ‘fake news law,” TikTok stated in a statement on Twitter.
“There will be no impact on our in-app messaging service.”
3/ We will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with safety as our top priority. More about our ongoing efforts here: https://t.co/Whwn5KwXmj
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) March 6, 2022
TikTok is far from the only platform in the country that is experiencing difficulties. Russia is also cracking down on other key social media platforms and international news organizations, limiting access to Facebook and Twitter and restricting access to BBC news websites.
“With safety as our top priority, we will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services,” TikTok said.
Netflix, Visa, Mastercard, and PwC are among a number of corporations that have dropped out of Russia in protest of the invasion of Ukraine.
