TikTok temporarily bans new video creation in Russia

TikTok is suspending new video uploads and livestreams on its app in Russia, citing the nation’s newly-passed “faux information” legislation as the explanation for the change.

“In gentle of Russia’s new ‘faux information’ legislation, we’ve no selection however to droop livestreaming and new content material to our video service whereas we evaluate the security implications of this legislation,” TikTok writes on Twitter. “Our in-app messaging service is not going to be affected.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on the faux information legislation final week. It punishes individuals with fines or as much as 15 years behind bars for spreading “false data” about Russia’s army or for publicly calling for sanctions on Russia. As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, it has begun to crack down on social platforms and international media — Russia has put a block on Fb, restricted entry to Twitter, and has barred entry to BBC information websites.

Final week, Russia’s communications company Roskomnadzor referred to as out TikTok for eradicating state-backed content material from its platform. TikTok later introduced plans so as to add labels to “some” state-controlled media, and has reportedly been making it more durable for customers to entry Russian state media, consistent with strikes from Fb, YouTube, and lots of others.

“We’ll proceed to judge the evolving circumstances in Russia to find out after we would possibly absolutely resume our companies with security as our high precedence,” TikTok notes.