Tverskoy Court in Moscow has banned the operations of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, in Russia and has recognised it as an extremist organization. This decision was announced in «Novaya Gazeta.» The ban will not apply to the messenger service WhatsApp.
A hearing was held at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office, which claimed that extremist material was disseminated on Facebook and Instagram. In particular, the department pointed to the publication of a photo of Adolf Hitler on Instagram in 2016. Aside from this, the Prosecutor General’s Office insisted that Meta’s social networks published calls for participation in large-scale, unsanctioned demonstrations and calls for violence against Russian citizens, including military personnel stationed in Ukraine.
It was clarified in a statement that the requirements of this ban would not apply to WhatsApp. The prosecutor also clarified that people will not be prosecuted for the use of Meta services.
Representatives from Roskomnadzor and the FSB supported the demands of the General Prosecutor’s Office, emphasizing that Meta’s social networks have a significant influence on societal opinions. The company was banned from opening any branches in Russia and undertaking any commercial activity.
Representatives from Meta denied the accusations of the plaintiff. According to Viktoria Shakina, a lawyer for Meta, the company’s rules ban any calls for violence towards Russian citizens. The company opposes Russophobia or calls for genocide and other types of violence. The defense claimed that the requirements of Roskomnadzor, which were allegedly ignored, did not include extremist publications.
The case was considered by the chair of the court, Olga Solopova.