On March 21, Tverskoy Court in Moscow deemed the activities of the Meta Platforms social networks Instagram * and Facebook * to be extremist and banned them in Russia. What do social media users need to know?
Why is Instagram * Facebook * blocked?
Tverskoy Court in Moscow recognized Meta Platforms Inc *. extremist organization and banned its activity in the Russian Federation. This is due to the fact that the company’s activities, according to FSB spokesman Igor Kowalewski, «are directed against Russia and its Armed Forces.» It is Meta * who owns the social networks Instagram * and Facebook *. She is also the owner of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. In addition to recognizing Meta * as an extremist organization, the court also banned its social networks. The General Prosecutor’s Office, which filed a lawsuit against Meta *, justified it with the fact that «the company refused to remove from its services calls to violence against Russians, including military personnel.»
Can I post a post?
According to the prosecutor at Tverskoy Court, Instagram * Facebook * users are not held responsible for posting, reading or following. This means you can maintain your profile, record Stories and upload your Rolls. But only if the content of the publication does not violate Russian law. For example, there should be no material that the Russian court can deem false regarding military actions or incitement to riots.
What information are you definitely not allowed to publish and like?
The ban covers publications on the basis of which the activities of Meta * itself were banned: incitement to acts of violence, publishing Nazi symbols or incitement to hatred of any affiliation — religious, national, etc. incitement to riots.
Is WhatsApp allowed?
At the court hearing, the representative of the General Prosecutor’s Office assured that the couriers would not be banned. This is because Instagram * is an information dissemination platform. A messenger is a means of communication.
Are VPN services banned?
Not. There are no plans in Russia to introduce criminal liability for the use of VPN services that bypass the blocking of prohibited sites and applications.
Can I post links and logos?
It is forbidden. Instagram symbols * Facebook * will be banned. Individuals and businesses should not include social media icons on business cards, websites, or flyers. This can be considered a crime according to Art. 20 paragraph 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and may result in a fine or administrative arrest. Even if flyers and business cards were ordered a long time ago, now it’s better not to use them. The presence of the icon on the personal telephone screen will not be disseminated or demonstrated.
Can I buy or own a share of Meta *?
Currently, Instagram * Facebook * has stopped integrating and accepting payments in Russia, so it is almost impossible to pay for ads.
All activities on Meta * social networks are subject to special scrutiny by law enforcement agencies and only persons whose account-keeping purposes are aimed at violating Russian law and any kind of appeal will be prosecuted.
Everything related to financing is subject to Art. 282 paragraph. 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (financing extremism), punishable by up to eight years in prison.
This means that it is unacceptable to purchase ads through an advertising account of social networks. At the same time, no one forbids you to buy ads from a blogger if you transfer money to his account.
Can I write about Instagram and Facebook *?
Any media references to Meta *, Facebook * and Instagram * will have to be labeled as extremist organizations. Otherwise, there is a risk of violating the article on abuse of freedom of the mass media (13.15 of the Code of Criminal Procedure).
* Meta activities (Facebook and Instagram social networks) are banned in Russia as extremist.
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