TikTok discovered and blocked a web of Russian propaganda accounts

TikTok uncovered and blocked 1,682 accounts that spread Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine to users in Europe, the company reports.

According to TikTok, the propaganda web operated from Russia and was aimed chiefly at residents of Germany, Italy, and the UK. The accounts, which were disguised as European users, posted content in German, Italian, and English, often using speech synthesis programs. In total, they had more than 130,000 subscribers.

TikTok also reported that it had shut down a web of Russian-language propaganda accounts operating from Georgia and aimed at residents of Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Ukraine. The 18 accounts in that group had around 85,000 users.

Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, TikTok blocked live streaming and video uploads from Russia, citing concerns about users’ and employees’ safety amid emerging laws about “discrediting” the Russian army.