Russia to Investigate Death Calls on Facebook

Russia started a criminal investigation against Meta Platforms. The decision to investigate was made after Facebook changed rules to allow users to call for "death to the Russian invaders" in the context of the war with Ukraine.

Russian prosecutors asked a court to designate the US company as an "extremist organization", while the communications regulator started restricting access to Instagram. "A criminal case has been initiated in connection with illegal calls for murder and violence against citizens of the Russian Federation by employees of the American company Meta, which owns the social networks Facebook and Instagram," the investigation committee said.

Meta spokesperson said on Thursday that the company eased its rules for political speech, allowing posts such as "death to the Russian invaders." It said, however, it will not allow calls for violence against Russian civilians. The temporary change will allow forms of political expression that would normally violate its rules, the company explained. Its oversight board said it is following the war in Ukraine, and how Meta is responding.