YouTube shuts down Tenet Media, Lauren Chen’s channels over alleged Russian money laundering scheme

New Delhi: In a significant move, YouTube has taken down the Tenet Media channel along with four other channels managed by Tenet’s owner, Lauren Chen. This action comes in the wake of an indictment filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), which alleges that Tenet Media is linked to Russian state media networks facing money laundering accusations.

According to Reuters, the Department of Justice recently charged two employees of the Russian state media network RT with money laundering. These employees are accused of conspiring to hire a US-based company to create online content aimed at swaying the 2024 presidential election.

Alleged election interference scheme targets US political landscape

Justice Department officials revealed that these individuals allegedly used shell companies and false identities to funnel $10 million to a Tennessee-based company. The goal was to produce online videos intended to exacerbate political divisions within the United States. Although the indictment does not name the company directly, the details closely resemble Tenet Media, a Nashville-based organization.

Details of the indictment

The indictment describes the Tennessee company as a "network of heterodox commentators focusing on Western political and cultural issues," a description that aligns with the promotional language used on Tenet’s website. The incorporation date cited in the indictment matches the registration date for Tenet Media with the Tennessee Secretary of State.

The indictment further alleges that the company paid $8.7 million to production firms associated with three online personalities it recruited. Additionally, the company's founders reportedly received over $760,000.

Responses from affected individuals

The Justice Department has stated that the commentators involved, who are unnamed in the indictment, were reportedly unaware of the illicit nature of their payments. Benny Johnson, one of the influencers who collaborated with Tenet, expressed his concern regarding the indictment. In a statement to Reuters, Johnson said, “This makes clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme.” 

YouTube’s Response

YouTube’s decision to terminate these channels reflects the platform’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its content and addressing potential threats linked to foreign interference. The suspension of Tenet Media and Lauren Chen’s channels marks a notable intervention in the ongoing scrutiny of online content and its possible impacts on political processes.