Sultan Khamzaev, a deputy from the “United Russia” party in the State Duma, has approached Andrei Lipov, the head of Roskomnadzor, with a proposal to consider banning the Chinese social network TikTok in Russia.
Khamzaev justified his proposal by claiming that TikTok uses an algorithm designed to “suppress and condition children to accept its narratives,” thereby violating Russian legislation regarding the psychological health of children.
The deputy cited concerns from psychology experts about TikTok’s negative impact on the mental health of teenagers, including reported declines in memory. He noted that many young users experience depression, anxiety, and stress. Khamzaev also referenced numerous legal proceedings associated with the social network.
This proposal comes amid discussions in the United States about a possible TikTok ban, with a corresponding bill already prepared in Congress. American officials argue that the Chinese social network poses a threat to national security, suggesting that the Chinese government could misuse citizens’ personal data and engage in propaganda. TikTok has approximately 100 million users in the USA.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also hinted at the potential blocking of TikTok in the European Union.
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