Russia restricted Instagram access and filed a criminal complaint against its owner, Meta, in punishment for the digital giant’s enabling comments inciting for violence against Russian military personnel.
This latest escalation follows Russia’s closure of Facebook and limiting of Twitter in a conflict with US social media platforms that has flared since its invasion of Ukraine.
A day after Meta admitted a temporary relaxation of its restrictions to allow pleas to violence such as “death to the Russian invaders,” Russia’s media regulator announced it will prohibit access to the hugely popular Instagram by Monday because it contains “calls to undertake violent crimes.”
Nick Clegg, Meta’s global affairs president, responded with what appeared to be damage control, clarifying that the loosened restrictions would only apply to users posting from Ukraine.
“We will not tolerate Russophobia or any other kind of discrimination, harassment, or violence against Russians on our platform,” he added, confirming the company’s previous statement that civilians were not included.
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