Social Media Faces Challenge in Tackling Covert Influence Ops

Tenet Media remains active on social media two days after being accused of coordinating influence operations for Russia. Major platforms, except YouTube, have not acted against its content. The case highlights the complexities and political sensitivities involved in moderating real user activities influenced by foreign entities.

Two days after U.S. authorities accused two employees of Russian state media network RT of coordinating an online influence operation for the 2024 presidential election, Tenet Media's content remains widely accessible. Despite the allegations, over 400 posts on TikTok, nearly 2,500 Instagram videos, and more than 4,000 posts on platform X are still available.

YouTube remains the only major platform to have taken action, removing Tenet Media's main channel and four others operated by owner Lauren Chen. Other social media platforms, including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, have yet to clarify their course of action.

The situation underscores the difficulties social media companies face in handling covert influence tactics, especially when real American personalities are involved. As the U.S. Justice Department alleges connections between RT and Tenet Media, questions arise over the adequacy of existing platform rules in addressing such nuanced scenarios.

(With inputs from agencies.)