Russia Puts Meta Spokesman on Wanted List, Launches Criminal Probe – News18

Russia on Sunday put Meta Platforms spokesperson Andy Stone on a wished record on unspecified fees because the US social media big — which owns Facebook — is classed as “extremist” by Moscow.

Russia has massively cracked down on media and social media freedom since launching its Ukraine offensive final yr and banning criticism of it.

Stone is listed on Russia’s inside ministry’s record of wished individuals, with out additional element.

In October 2022, Russia listed Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organisation, opening attainable prison investigations and fines for customers within the nation.

Facebook and Instagram have been blocked in Russia for the reason that begin of the Ukraine offensive and are solely accessible through VPN.

Twitter can also be banned, in addition to Russian unbiased media essential of the Kremlin.

Before the bans, tens of millions of Russians used functions belonging to Meta, particularly Instagram, which stays massively common with younger Russians.

In April 2022, Russia put Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on a blacklist of individuals banned from getting into the nation.

(This story has been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)