Russia’s communications regulator on Monday demanded TikTok cease together with military-related content material in really helpful posts for minors, in an announcement shared in its official Telegram channel.

The regulator Roskomnadzor stated it had recognized content material on the video-sharing app associated to Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine and that a whole lot of it was anti-Russian in character.

Russia, which has fined tech corporations and hobbled their companies within the nation throughout a protracted stand-off with Big Tech platforms, has ramped up strain on websites throughout the battle.

A TikTok spokeswoman on Monday additionally confirmed that it had restricted entry to Russian state media retailers RT and Sputnik throughout the European Union, after the organisations had been hit with sanctions by the EU. Facebook-owner Meta Platforms additionally blocked entry to the 2 retailers.

TikTok is well-liked with youthful customers and likewise has a model geared toward kids underneath 13. It was not clear precisely what the Russian regulator meant in saying TikTok was recommending content material particularly to minors. The firm has lately stated it’s testing age-rated content material restrictions.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech big ByteDance, didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Roskomnadzor’s calls for.

The app, which was initially recognized for lip-syncing movies and viral dance traits, has been broadly used to doc occasions and share information within the run-up to and through Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has additionally seen the unfold of deceptive footage in regards to the battle.

© Thomson Reuters 2022