Russian court bans Ig, Fb as ‘extremist’
By Nidz Godino
“The activities of the Meta organization are directed against Russia and its armed forces,” FSB representative Igor Kovalevsky told court, Moscow court banned Facebook and Instagram as “extremist” organizations, after authorities accused US tech giant Meta of tolerating “Russophobia” during conflict in Ukraine.
The Tverskoi district court agreed request from prosecutors for two social media platforms to be banned for “carrying out extremist activities”, but that Meta’s WhatsApp messenger service would not be prohibited because it is not public platform.
The move is part of sweeping efforts by Moscow to crack down on social media amid military action in pro-Western Ukraine.
During hearing, Russia’s FSB security service accused Meta of working against Moscow’s interests during the conflict.
“We ask the court to ban Meta’s activities and oblige it to implement this ruling immediately,” he said.
After President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, authorities blocked access in Russia to Facebook and Instagram, as well as to Twitter.
Meta had announced on March 10 platforms would allow statements like “death to Russian invaders” but not credible threats against civilians.
But in what appeared to be damage control, Meta’s global affairs president, Nick Clegg, later said the laxer rules would only apply to people posting from inside Ukraine.
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