TikTok removes accounts linked to Russian media outlets over attempts to exert "covert influence" before the US elections

() – TikTok has removed accounts associated with two Russian media groups for attempting to exert what it called “covert influence” on the upcoming US presidential election, in violation of its guidelines.

The accounts are linked to Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, the organizations behind the Sputnik news agency and broadcaster RT respectively, the social media platform said on its website on Monday, labeling the groups as “state-affiliated.”

The move follows an announcement by Meta (META) last week that it had banned Rossiya Segodnya, RT and “other related entities” from its apps globally for “foreign interference activity.”

Rossiya Segodnya and RT did not immediately respond to ‘s request for comment on TikTok’s move.

Earlier this month, the US Justice Department announced charges against two RT employees for funneling nearly $10 million to a US company, identified by as Tenet Media, to create and amplify content that aligned with Russian state interests. The covert influence campaign targeted the American public ahead of the presidential election, US officials said.

Tenet Media boasts a roster of high-profile right-wing and pro-Trump commentators, including Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson and several others. All of them issued statements saying they were victims of the alleged Russian scheme.

Following the Justice Department’s announcement, RT responded with mocking statements that failed to address the details of the US allegations.

TikTok, meanwhile, has faced questions about whether the Chinese government can manipulate its algorithm to influence the American public. The platform, which 170 million Americans use to watch videos about sports, fashion and politics, is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok in the United States unless the app finds a new owner, which the company has since challenged in court.