Russian Court Finds , Meta To Be ‘Extremist,’, Bans Facebook, Instagram.
NPR reports a Russian court has banned Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta in the country due to "extremist" activities.
The ruling makes its illegal for Instagram and Facebook to operate in the country.
The ruling makes its illegal for Instagram and Facebook to operate in the country.
This outlaws Meta's commercial activity and prohibits the company from displaying brand symbols.
NPR reports prosecutors signaled that regular people who use the platforms won't face prosecution.
However, it will still allow WhatsApp, which is also owned by Meta.
Facebook and Instagram were already blocked in Russia amid its war with Ukraine.
Facebook and Instagram were already blocked in Russia amid its war with Ukraine.
NPR reports Russian authorities are trying to get Meta designated as an "extremist organization.".
Part of their cause stems from Meta's recent decision to allow violent posts against Russian soldiers.
Prosecutors cited "illegal calls for the murder of Russian nationals" and providing the ability to organize "riots, accompanied by violence.".
As over 15,000 Russian protestors have reportedly been arrested in the past three weeks for making public statements about Ukraine.
NPR reports more of the country's citizens have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs)
