TikTok will suspend livestreaming capabilities and the posting of new content to its video service in Russia in light of the country’s recent “fake news” law.
Russian officials claimed false information was being spread about the war in Ukraine, prompting both chambers of its Parliament to pass legislation Friday “making it a criminal offense to spread fake information,” punishable by prison terms of up to 15 years for journalists, according to Reuters. Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly signed the legislation into law.
TikTok said that it is increasing safety and security measures to help ensure information is accurate.
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
“We recognize the heightened risk and impact of misleading information during a time of crisis,” TikTok said in a statement. “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 livestreaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law.”
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TikTok said the app’s messaging service will not be affected and that it will continue to evaluate the situation in Russia with the hope that services might fully resume when safe.
The video app also said it will begin “applying labels to content from some state-controlled media accounts over the coming days.”
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Other media organizations have also suspended aspects of their services in light of the Russian law.
The Washington Post said it would remove bylines and datelines from its stories in an effort to protect its journalists. BBC News temporarily pulled its staff from working within Russian borders.
Dow Jones also announced it would be evaluating the situation in light of keeping its employees safe and being in Moscow to “talk to officials and capture the mood, [which] is key to that mission.”
