Meta banned RT and other Russian state media on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing crackdown on Russian state media,” the company told Engadget in a statement. “Russia Segodnya, RT and other associated entities are now banned from our apps globally for alleged foreign interference.” Meta shared explanatory materials with the company. ReutersThe company said it had found evidence that Russian media outlets had taken steps to avoid detection of online foreign interference activities in the past, and that it expects these outlets to continue their deceptive practices in the future. The ban is expected to come into effect in the coming days.
The company’s announcement came just days after the Biden administration took office. Publicly condemning RT RT spreads propaganda and disinformation online. Authorities said RT used local media outlets, including those targeting Africa and France, to spread propaganda and information to justify and support the invasion of Ukraine.
In 2022, Meta, at the request of the Ukrainian government, restricted Russian state-run media’s access to Facebook in Ukraine and restricted the spread of these media’s content. Russia responded by blocking Facebook in the country a few days later and filed a criminal case against the company. A judge subsequently found Facebook and Instagram guilty of “extremist” activity, effectively banning Meta from opening an office or doing business in Russia.
