Russian Authorities Block Meta Services

The confrontation between the Russian communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, and Meta has been going on for years. Initially, the country's authorities were outraged that Facebook limited or completely blocked access to pro-state media. According to Roskomnadzor, over the past two years, a total of 26 cases of discrimination by Meta have been registered.

The invasion of Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine exacerbated the situation. Many information platforms, including those owned by Meta, have begun blocking Russian propaganda resources. In particular, on Instagram and Facebook, such channels have received specific labels, and access to them is restricted in many countries. The Russian authorities tried to put pressure on the platforms to stop labeling and independent fact-checking, but they did not comply.

In response, the government decided to slow down or block popular services. Users from Russia already experience problems accessing their accounts. Meta spokesman Nick Clegg said the company would make efforts to restore access to its services. It will be done to ensure that the people have the opportunity to read honest news and objective info articles.

After Facebook was blocked, it also became known that access to Twitter was limited in the Russian Federation. This platform also started blocking pro-state media and channels. In response to pressure from the Russian communications regulator, many technology giants have decided to stop advertising distribution, close access to monetization tools, and even withdraw their services.

In total, about 200 companies stopped their work in Russia (according to the estimates of Yale University specialists). Do you think such an economic blockade is effective in the fight against Russian aggression?