Russia bans Facebook and Twitter in the country

The communication authority of the Russian government announced that, as of this Friday (4), the platforms of Meta, the company that owns Facebook, are blocked from access in the country. In addition to Meta, Russian news agency TASS reported that Twitter was also blocked on Russian territory.

There are reports that other information services from Western countries are being blocked, such as the British news channels BBC and German Deutsche Welle. In addition, the Wikipedia platform would also have been blocked.

Facebook works to restore services

In response to the announcement, Meta’s vice president of global communications, Nick Clegg, said the company is making efforts to try to re-establish services in Russia, but that it cannot go against a government decision.

In addition to Facebook, Meta owns Instagram and WhatsApp. Both applications must also enter the group of social networks banned in the country.

Last week, days after the invasion of Ukraine, Facebook’s management warned, in a note, that Russia was already threatening to impose restrictions on platforms that are part of Meta, as the company denied the request to stop carrying out checks on news that were broadcast by the government of President Vladimir Putin.

Another factor that explains the Russian decision is the attempt by Russia to prevent the organization of protests against the war through the platform’s social networks. Demonstrations are banned in the country. To be held, groups of protesters need a government authorization at least 10 days in advance.