Facebook and Instagram were banned from Russia after being labeled “extremist” by a Russian judge. Russian officials particularly excoriated Facebook parent company Meta.
“The activities of the Meta organization are directed against Russia and its armed forces,” Igor Kovalevsky representative told the court, as reported by Tass. Facebook had provoked Russia’s ire earlier this month by suspending hate speech policies to allow death threats against Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“Since the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the authorities have sought to fully control the information sphere in the country. We should be prepared for more censorship,” Alexander Isavnin, a Russian internet privacy advocate and member of the Pirate Party of Russia, told the Guardian.
Youtube is the last major western platform active in Russia. According to Russian officials Russians will be allowed access to Whatsapp, as it is not seen as an information platform.
