According to the Russian intelligence service FSB, Meta’s actions harm Russia’s interests in the war it called a special military operation.
A Russian court has defined the U.S. media giant Meta as an extremist organization. The decision bans Meta-owned social media platforms Facebook and Instagram in Russia, according to the Russian state-owned news agency Tass and the British newspaper The Guardian.
Russia’s intelligence service, the FSB, earlier on Monday demanded a court ban on Meta’s operations in Russia “immediately.” The court also rejected Meta’s request for more time to prepare the defense on Monday.
According to the FSB, Meta’s actions harm Russia’s interests in the war it called a special military operation.
FSB spokesman Igor Kovalevsky said in Tverskoy regional court that Meta is working directly against Russia and its armed forces.
Multiple platforms closed
President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to Ukraine on 24 February. Since then, Russia has blocked access to several social media platforms, including Twitter.
A Meta spokesman said in court that the platform has banned “expressions inciting Russophobia and violence.”
Facebook and Instagram are popular, especially among young Russians.
Access to Twitter and Facebook was blocked earlier this month. Instagram closed a week ago.
The court’s decision is based on the Russian prosecutor’s demand to define Meta as an extremist organization.
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