On Thursday it became known that the social networks of Meta, Facebook and Instagram, were going to let users in some countries do something that has not been allowed in the rules for a long time: Post calls to violence.
That’s right, they will make the exception for the case of violence against “Russian invaders” and “Russian soldiers” in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that already records thousands of deaths.
Russia’s response to the permission for ‘Death to Russian invaders’ publications took no more than 24 hours.
Vladimir Putin’s country enabled on Friday March 11 a criminal proceedings against Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook.
Also, look for redefine it as an “extremist organization”.
“A criminal case has been initiated linked to the illegal calls for murder and violence against citizens of the Russian Federation by employees of the US company Meta, owner of the Facebook and Instagram networks,” published the Investigative Committee of Russia.
This body reports directly to Putin.
What is not clear so far are the consequences that this criminal case could bring to the company founded and led by Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook relaxed the rules on violence: Putin talks about terrorism
The measure of the Russian justice took place hours after a spokesman for Meta confirmed that the company had temporarily relaxed its rules related to political speeches, therefore, publications such as “death to the Russian invaders” were going to be allowed.
Meta clarified that Posts of violence against Russian civilians will not be allowed.
The objective, according to Meta, is to allow forms of political expression in the context of the invasion, even though in a “normal” scenario they would violate its rules.
The State Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation said that the actions of the management of the Meta company “form an idea that terrorist activity is permissible” and that they “are aimed at inciting hatred and enmity towards Russian citizens.” .
He also said that they have asked a court to recognize Facebook and Instagram as extremist organizations and to ban their activities in Russia.
As reported Reuterswhich accessed internal Meta emails, the US company has temporarily allowed publications calling for the death of Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, responded to this, saying he hopes it “isn’t true,” since if it is, “There will have to be the most decisive measures to put an end to the activity of this company.”
The UN human rights office spoke out on the issue, saying the change in Facebook’s policy was “concerning.”
Read more:
Meta will temporarily allow calls for violence against Russians on Facebook and Instagram
Valeria, the viral tiktoker that documents the war in Ukraine
Google contributes to Ukraine by installing air raid warning system