Russia Bans Facebook & Instagram For Being ‘Extremist’—But Not WhatsApp (Yet)

Russia has moved to ban Facebook and Instagram, finding parent company Meta was guilty of “extremist activity,” though it will make an exception for WhatsApp.

“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 ruled.

According to Reuters, Moscow’s Tverskoi District Court upheld a lawsuit filed by state prosecutors, officially ceasing the company’s activities within the country with immediate effect.

The Guardian reported that during the hearing earlier this week, the nation’s FSB security service had accused Meta of concocting an “alternative reality” and kindling “hatred for the Russians.”

“The activities of the Meta organization are directed against Russia an its armed forces,” said Igor Kovalevsky, a FSB representative. 

Though the move comes as part of the country’s plans to crack down on anti-war protestors, including independent news outlets and social media platforms, the prosecutors said they will not charge citizens who access the banned networks.

“The use of Meta’s products by individuals and legal entities should not be considered as participation in extremist activities,” explained Kovalevsky, referring to users who choose to circumvent the ban via the use of a virtual private network (VPN). 

Alexander Isavnin, a Russian internet privacy advocate, said that residents should brace “for more censorship” in the coming weeks, as the authorities seek to “fully control the information sphere in the country.” 

“The move to ban Meta is also a final warning sign to YouTube, the last major remaining western platform in the country,” he added. 

[via Reuters and The Guardian, cover image via Primakov / Shutterstock.com]