Facebook enforced a ban on its platforms introduced in Russia on Friday amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russia’s communications regulator said the ban was in response to restrictions imposed on its media outlets there.
Since October 2020, there have been 26 cases of “discrimination” against Russian media by Facebook.
Facebook’s President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said that “soon millions of ordinary Russians will be cut off from reliable information.”
Facebook had been restricted in the country, along with other platforms like Twitter.
Although usage was restricted, Facebook has not been completely banned in the country.
- More and more companies are withdrawing from Russia
- Apple halts sales and restricts services in Russia
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, said last week it restricted Russian-backed outlets across the European Union and downgraded content from pro-state media outlets around the world.
She had also refused to stop fact-checking several state-run Russian media outlets, including RT and Sputnik.
Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor said in a statement: “Since October 2020, 26 cases of discrimination against Russian media and information resources by Facebook have been registered.”
The statement said the ban on Facebook platforms was put in place “to prevent violations of the fundamental principles of the free flow of information.”
In response, Meta said, “We will continue to do everything we can to restore our services so that they continue to be available for people to express themselves and take action in a safe and secure manner.”
On Friday, Russia’s parliament passed a law providing for a prison sentence of up to 15 years for spreading intentional “fake” news about the military.
The BBC also said it would temporarily suspend the work of all its journalists and support staff in Russia after the law was introduced.
Other tech and social media giants have been pressured by investors and their users to respond to the crisis in Ukraine.
For example, Apple has halted all product sales in Russia and restricted other services such as Apple Pay and Apple Maps. Retail stores in the country have also closed.
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