CNBC TechCheck Evening Edition: April 18, 2024

I’m Kate Rooney and this is your CNBC Tech check briefing. Microsoft says that Russian influence operations have already started targeting the US election. The company reports that Russian linked accounts are spreading divisive content aimed at American audiences. Some posts include criticism of US support of Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. So far, researchers say the digital blitz is not as heightened compared to previous election years, but could ramp up in the coming months. And Google has terminated 28 employees following a series of protests this week. That’s according to an internal memo viewed by CNBC. Workers in multiple cities were speaking out against labor conditions and the company’s cloud contract with Israel. The move follows the arrest of nine employees on trespassing charges after they staged SIT insurance at two of the company’s offices. Google’s vice president of global security says they will continue to investigate and take action as needed. Tiktok, meanwhile, is starting to roll out. A new Instagram rival, dubbed Tiktok, notes the app allows users to share. Photo posed with text notes, the company describes A dedicated space as a lifestyle platform where users can share their creativity via photo text content. The app is currently available for select users in Australia and Canada to download and test. It’s unclear when TikTok will roll out notes to the US and other markets. That’s it from the West Coast. We’ll see you right back here tomorrow.