TikTok Bans Video Creation in Russia as “Fake News” Becomes Active

• TikTok has announced that it is suspending video uploads and live streams in Russia, citing the country’s “fake news” law as the reason for the ban

• The ban will prevent users in Russia from uploading videos but the app’s messaging service will remain active

• Russian president introduced the fake news law last week and it punishes people for spreading false information about Russia’s military or demanding sanctions for the country

TikTok is limiting its service in Russia by suspending live streaming and upload of new content in the country. The video-sharing platform has cited the new “fake news” law as the reason for the drastic change.

Announcing the changes on Twitter, the company stated that it wants to ensure the safety of staff and users by assessing the implications of the law.

What is the fake news law?

The fake news law was introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday and it prevents people from spreading fake news about Russia’s armed forces or demanding that the country be sanctioned.

People who are found guilty of going against this law will be punished with a fine or a jail term of up to 15 years.

Read also: 21 Happenings in Ukraine Invasion That you Should Know

Since the law was put in place, top news outlets such as BBC and CBC have been pulled down in Russia.

Before its latest decision, TikTok which has more than 36 million monthly users in Russia has been criticized for not speaking out against the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

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