A Russian court on Monday banned social networks Facebook and Instagram for considering that they carry out “extremist” activities, a measure that is part of Moscow's attempt to control online information about the offensive in Ukraine.
“We agree to the prosecutor's request to ban the activities of the company Meta,” the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said the judge of the Moscow court, according to Russian news agencies.
Social networks run by Meta are “banned for extremist activity,” the court added in a statement released by Telegram.
The WhatsApp messaging application, also owned by Meta, is not affected by this measure, as the court found that it is not used as a means of “public dissemination of information”.
After the start of the military operation in Ukraine on 24 February, the Russian authorities tightened control of information. The ban on Facebook and Instagram is part of that line.
These two social networks were already banned for a few days, as well as Twitter and the websites of most independent Russian media. The only way to access them is through a virtual private network (VPN).
On March 11, the Russian authorities had asked to classify Meta as an “extremist” organization after accusing it of having relaxed its regulations to allow the publication of violent messages against the Russian military and leaders following the military operation.
In court on Monday, the prosecution reiterated this request, considering that Meta justified “terrorist actions” and intended to incite “hatred and enmity” towards Russians.
The Russian security services (FSB) had also demanded an “immediate” ban on Facebook and Instagram.
“Meta's activities are directed against Russia and its armed forces. We demand its prohibition and the obligation to apply this measure immediately,” FSB spokesman Igor Kovalevski, quoted by the Interfax press agency, told a hearing.
- YouTube in the spotlight -
According to the Russian press agency TASS, a Meta representative told the court on Monday that the company had amended its regulations to ban “Russophobia and calls for violence.”
Since the beginning of the Russian intervention in Ukraine on February 24, the executive has tightened control of information disseminated on the Internet, one of the last spaces for free expression in the country.
The blocking and banning of Facebook, but especially Instagram, widely used in the country, was a blow to many citizens who used these social networks not only to have fun, but also to do business.
Instagram is a key online sales tool for many companies, but also for artists, who bet on this platform to make themselves known both in Russia and abroad and thus find customers.
The ban on these two social networks can also have an impact on the opposition, which used to publish on these platforms as the Kremlin-controlled media usually doesn't give it space.
And the trend could continue. Last week, Russian telecom regulator Roskomnadzor accused US giant Google and its YouTube video service of “terrorist” activities, the first step towards a possible blockade.
In early March, the authorities also introduced two new criminal offences: one for disseminating information that “discredits” the Russian army and another for spreading “misleading” information about Russian troops.
This latest infringement provides for up to 15 years' imprisonment and is of particular concern to opponents and independent media, who fear prosecution in the face of any criticism of the offensive.
At least three people, who had already posted anti-conflict messages on the internet, are being prosecuted for it.
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