Russia is blocking access to Instagram, regulator Roskomnadz announced on Friday. The blockade will take effect on March 14. Until then, users can export their photos and videos to other social media.
The news agency wrote that Russia took further action on Friday after it became known that Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta had relaxed its policies on hate speech in some countries. Reuters† As a result, threats may be made against Russian soldiers in Ukraine on a temporary basis.
Meta says in a statement to NU.nl that it will make a temporary exception for war victims. “We are doing this so that they can express their feelings towards the occupying forces, such as ‘Death to the Russian invaders,'” a company spokesperson said. “As always, we prohibit calls for violence against Russians outside the scope of the current occupation.”
The change is notable as hate speech is banned on meta-platforms. The company has worked in recent years to strengthen this policy and to recognize and reject hate messages more quickly.
Russia reacted sharply to the policy changes. Not only did the country announce an Instagram blockade, the Russian prosecutor’s office also started criminal proceedings against Meta. The Commission of Inquiry reports directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is unclear what the consequences of such a criminal case could be.
Russians consider Instagram an ‘extremist organization’
The Russian prosecutor’s office has taken legal action to classify Meta as an extremist organization. In Russia, Meta’s practices are labeled as “terrorist activities”.
A Kremlin spokesperson said: Reuters I hope the Meta statements are wrong. “Otherwise, we will have to take drastic measures to shut down the company’s operation.”
The United Nations human rights organization described Facebook’s policy change as “disturbing”.
Facebook had intervened earlier because of the war in Ukraine. For example, Russian state media pages and messages in European countries were blocked. Russia responded by blocking access to Facebook in the country.
Source: NU
Jason Jack is an experienced technology journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in computer science and engineering, he has a deep understanding of the latest technology trends and developments. He writes about a wide range of technology topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cybersecurity.
