Russia says Meta an ‘extremist organization,’ upholds Facebook, Instagram ban

Moscow, Mar 21 (EFE).- A Russian court on Monday labeled Meta an “extremist organization” and upheld a ban on the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms, although allowed WhatsApp to continue its operations.

“The activity of the American multinational Meta Platforms to offer social networks Facebook and Instagram in the territory of the Russian Federation is prohibited for extremist activities,” the Tverskoy court said in a statement.

The ruling excludes Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service because it does not contain functions for public dissemination of information, the statement added.

Although these services are officially blocked, the Prosecutor’s Office does not classify the use of social networks as participation in extremist activities.

The US firm had temporarily lifted a ban on publishing information inciting violence following the invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case as Meta refused to ban calls for violence against Russians, including the military.

Russia had already blocked Instagram and restricted access to Facebook. EFE

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