Twitter had decided to ban advertising from accounts owned by Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik, based on allegations of interference in the 2016 US election. The move was condemned by RT and Sputnik, and RT claims that Twitter even 'pitched to RT a large-sum advertising proposal' in 2016 to promote RT's coverage of the US elections: 'The more money RT spent, the bigger the reach to American voters that Twitter would provide'. A spokeswoman from Russia's foreign minister said that the ban constitutes 'an unprecedented attack' and a 'gross violation' of free speech, adding that 'retaliatory measures will naturally follow'. On 1 November, Twitter, Facebook and Google will testify before the Senate and House intelligence committees about their role in the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.