Russia bans Facebook, Instagram, not What’sApp

MOSCOW, Mar 22 (PRIME) -- The Russian communications service will exclude Facebook and Instagram from the register of social networks and Meta Platforms, the social networks’ owner, from the list of foreign firms working on the Internet, the watchdog said late on Monday in a statement.

“According to article 4 of the Law on Mass Media, when distributing information, Russian media must mark such a company and its social networks in its editorial materials. The marking must contain an indication that its activity is banned on the Russian territory,” the statement read.

Media responsibility for the absence of such marking comes in force after the Justice Ministry has put the extremist company on the register.

The Tverskoi District Court of Moscow earlier banned Facebook and Instagram for extremist actions, the move which does not apply to messenger WhatsApp, also belonging to Meta Platforms.

“Demonstration by Russian media of the logo of Meta Platforms and its social networks Facebook and Instagram is not permitted,” the watchdog said.

The authority added that according to explanations of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the lawsuit was not aimed at limiting the use of Meta’s software products both by individuals and firms that take no part in the actions forbidden by law.

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