Russia plans to limit Instagram and label Meta an extremist group

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/ [login to see] /russia-instagram-meta-extremist-group
Russian authorities called for Facebook parent Meta to be labeled an extremist organization and said they would restrict access to its Instagram app, after the social media giant said it would temporarily permit some calls for violence against Russian soldiers.

Russian regulators have already banned access to Facebook in the country. Now, Russia's prosecutor general's office is seeking the extremist designation because of what it terms "illegal calls for the murder of Russian nationals" by Meta employees.

In launching their criminal probe, prosecutors also accused Instagram of serving as a platform for organizing "riots, accompanied by violence."

Communications regulator Roskomnadzor said that access to Instagram would be restricted beginning on Monday in Russia. It said "messages shared on Instagram encourage and provoke violent actions toward Russians."

WhatsApp, a Meta messaging app popular in Russia, was not mentioned in the government statements. Meta did not have a comment on the criminal case or restrictions on Friday.