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• Russia has banned Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, accusing them of spreading Russophobia
Russia’s Tverskoi District Court found Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: FB) guilty of "extremist activity", but said its decision would not affect the WhatsApp messenger service.
The court’s decision was targeted towards the company's already banned Facebook and Instagram social networks.
"The decision does not apply to the activities of Meta's messenger WhatsApp, due to its lack of functionality for the public dissemination of information," the court said.
Reuters reported that the company’s lawyer, Victoria Shagina, had told the court that Meta was not carrying out extremist activities and stood against Russophobia.
Russia has termed the conflict in Ukraine a "special military operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from people it describes as dangerous nationalists, reported Reuters.
Facebook for restricted access to Russian media and Instagram allowed social media users in Ukraine to post messages urging violence against Russian President Vladimir Putin and troops Moscow sent into Ukraine on February 24. This prompted Russia to block both the sites
Reuters reported that Meta has since narrowed its guidance to prohibit calls for the death of a head of state and said its guidance should never be interpreted as condoning violence against Russians in general.
Inputs from Reuters
Picture Credits: Reuters