The court banned the work of Meta, recognizing the organization as extremist

The Tverskoy Court of Moscow banned Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, from operating in Russia, recognizing the organization as extremist. Novaya Gazeta is about this. The ban will not apply to the WhatsApp messenger.

reports The meeting was held on the basis of a claim from the Prosecutor General's Office, which alleged that extremist materials were distributed on the social networks Facebook and Instagram. In particular, the department pointed to a 2016 Instagram post - a photograph of Adolf Hitler. In addition, the Prosecutor General's Office insisted that Meta social networks published calls for participation in mass uncoordinated actions, calls for violence against Russian citizens, including against military personnel stationed in Ukraine.

The statement clarified that the ban request does not apply to WhatsApp. The prosecutor also explained that people will not be held accountable for using Meta services.

Representatives of Roskomnadzor and the FSB supported the request of the Prosecutor General's Office, emphasizing that the Meta social networks have a great influence on public opinion. The company was prohibited from opening branches in Russia and conducting any commercial activities.

Meta representatives denied the plaintiff's statements. According to the company's lawyer Victoria Shakina, the company's rules prohibit calls for violence against Russian citizens. The company opposes Russophobia, calls for genocide and other types of violence. The allegedly ignored demands of Roskomnadzor did not concern publications of an extremist nature, the defense argued.

The claim was considered by the chairman of the court, Olga Solopova.