Science, Technology, and Social Media

Russia Will Restrict Access To Facebook Over Alleged ‘Censorship’

A Russian regulator said Friday that the country would partially limit access to Facebook in response to the tech giant’s alleged restricting of Russian media accounts.

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s internet and communications regulator, announced the restrictions on its Telegram channel Friday.

“On 24 February, the social network Facebook (of Meta Platforms, Inc.) restricted the official accounts of four Russian media outlets: Zvezda TV channel, RIA Novosti news agency, Lenta.ru and Gazeta.ru Internet sites,” the regulator said, adding that such actions are “violations of the fundamental human rights and freedoms, rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation.”

The regulator said it asked Facebook to lift the restrictions but that the tech giant did not respond. Roskomnadzor also claimed it had recorded 23 instances of similar “censorship” by Facebook of Russian accounts since October 2020.

“The Prosecutor General’s Office, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a decision to recognize Facebook as a social network involved in violating fundamental human rights and freedoms as well as the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens,” Roskomnadzor said.

It’s unclear exactly what form the restrictions will take; Roskomnadzor did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

Roskomnadzor’s decision was precipitated by rising tensions between Russia and Facebook parent company Meta over moderation of political content; Russia has repeatedly threatened the company with fines for allegedly failing to remove banned content, including posts deemed politically extremist by the Russian government.

Meta did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

Ailan Evans

Share
Published by
Ailan Evans

Recent Posts

NYT: Attorneys Vs Editors in Pennsylvania Measels Deaths Piece

The New York Times piece by Mandavilli on Measles deaths in Pennsylvania was ran through…

8 hours ago

Is Washington’s Nuclear Renaissance Just An Illusion?

Congress is taking another crack at removing regulatory barriers to America’s nuclear energy industry, but…

9 hours ago

Clearing The Roadless Rule: What Comes Next For America’s Burning Forests?

Republican Oregon Rep. Cliff Bentz wants to turn wildfire fuel from federal forests into an…

9 hours ago

German Establishment Responds To Its Ballot Box Drubbing In Most Predictable Way Possible

Germany’s political establishment is scrambling for answers after the right-wing Alternative for Germany dealt Chancellor…

9 hours ago

Canada Hits Back At Trump Tariffs As Trade War Threatens Key Midterm Battlegrounds

Canada slapped tariffs as high as 50% on about $20 billion of American goods Tuesday,…

9 hours ago

Beijing Could Throw Wrench In Sam Altman’s Humanoid Robot Dreams

The maker of ChatGPT wants to build humanoid robots using parts still dominated by China.…

9 hours ago