Russia limiting access to Facebook over fact-checking row
2 years, 10 months ago

Russia limiting access to Facebook over fact-checking row

Al Jazeera  

US social media giant says it refused to comply with Russian order to stop fact-checking and content warning labels. Russia has announced it is partially limiting access to Facebook, after the US social media giant said it refused to comply with an order from the Russian authorities to stop fact-checkers and content warning labels on its platforms amid the country’s attack on Ukraine. “In accordance with the decision of the General Prosecutor’s Office, starting from Feb. 25, partial access restrictions are being imposed by Roskomnadzor on the Facebook social network,” the regulator said in a statement. On Friday, the vice president of global affairs at Facebook’s parent company, Meta, said that “the Russian authorities ordered us to stop the independent fact-checking and labelling of content posted on Facebook by four Russian state-owned media organizations”. Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from Moscow, explained that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Russian personalities and celebrities have shared anti-war messages on social media, including on Facebook and Instagram.

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History of this topic

Facebook owner Meta bans Russian state media outlets over 'foreign interference'
3 months, 1 week ago

Facebook owner Meta bans Russian state media outlets over 'foreign interference'

New Indian Express  

LONDON: Meta said it's banning Russia state media organization from its social media platforms, alleging that the outlets used deceptive tactics to amplify Moscow's propaganda. “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," Meta said in a …

Meta bans Russian state media outlets for 'interference'
3 months, 1 week ago

Meta bans Russian state media outlets for 'interference'

New Indian Express  

SAN FRANCISCO: Meta late Monday said it is banning Russian state media outlets from its apps around the world due to "foreign interference activity." "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets," Meta said in response to an AFP inquiry. "Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for …

US intel reveals Russia plans to meddle in 2024 election
5 months, 2 weeks ago

US intel reveals Russia plans to meddle in 2024 election

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia will attempt to influence the 2024 US presidential election …

US DOJ says it disrupted Russian social media influence operation
5 months, 2 weeks ago

US DOJ says it disrupted Russian social media influence operation

Al Jazeera  

The US Department of Justice reports that it disrupted a Russian-government-backed, AI-enabled propaganda campaign to use a bot farm to spread disinformation. The United States Department of Justice has disrupted a Russian operation that used fake social media accounts enhanced by artificial intelligence to covertly spread pro-Kremlin messages in the US and abroad, it said. The news on Tuesday comes …

EU opens probe into Facebook and Instagram amid claims they are not doing enough to tackle Russian disinformation ahead of crunch elections
7 months, 3 weeks ago

EU opens probe into Facebook and Instagram amid claims they are not doing enough to tackle Russian disinformation ahead of crunch elections

Daily Mail  

The European Union has launched an investigation into Facebook and Instagram amid claims they are not doing enough to tackle Russian disinformation which could potentially undermine democracy. 'If we suspect a violation of the rules, we act,' Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Brussels is especially concerned that Meta, the company which runs the social media platforms, does not …

Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content
1 year, 6 months ago

Russia fines WhatsApp for first time for not deleting banned content

The Hindu  

A Russian court on June 1 fined messenger service WhatsApp 3 million roubles for not deleting banned content, its first fine in Russia for that offence. Although WhatsApp's parent company Meta Platforms Inc was last year banned in Russia as an "extremist" organisation, the messenger app — which is widely popular in Russia — has not previously faced penalties for …

How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens, and what has worsened under Vladimir Putin
1 year, 7 months ago

How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens, and what has worsened under Vladimir Putin

ABC  

Even when Yekaterina Maksimova can't afford to be late, the journalist and activist now avoids taking the Moscow subway, despite it often being the most efficient route. Rights advocates said Russia under President Vladimir Putin has harnessed digital technology to track, censor and control the population, building what some call a "cyber gulag" — a dark reference to the labour …

‘Total digital surveillance’: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Total digital surveillance’: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

LA Times  

When Yekaterina Maksimova can’t afford to be late, the journalist and activist avoids taking the Moscow subway, even though it’s probably the most efficient route. Rights advocates say that Russia under President Vladimir Putin has harnessed digital technology to track, censor and control the population, building what some call a “cyber gulag” — a dark reference to the labor camps …

Twitter Warned By EU Over Disinformation, Favouring Russia Agenda
1 year, 7 months ago

Twitter Warned By EU Over Disinformation, Favouring Russia Agenda

ABP News  

According to a recent tweet by Vera Jourova, Vice-President for Values and Transparency at the EU, the EU has issued a warning to Elon Musk's Twitter over the spread of disinformation and promotion of the Kremlin agenda. Jourova expressed her concern that Twitter's policies have made the digital information space unsafe and susceptible to malicious influence from authoritarian governments. Jourova …

Russia blocks access to The Bell in latest crackdown on country’s media houses
1 year, 10 months ago

Russia blocks access to The Bell in latest crackdown on country’s media houses

Firstpost  

Russia has blocked dozens of news sites since it invaded Ukraine last year, often accusing them of publishing “fake” news about what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine. Moscow: Russia on Sunday blocked access to The Bell, a news outlet founded by one of Russia’s top journalists, the latest website to be taken offline as Moscow cracks down …

Facebook takes down Russian-state media outlet RT
1 year, 11 months ago

Facebook takes down Russian-state media outlet RT

Daily Mail  

Facebook has apparently suspended the account of a popular Russian-state media outlet without explanation. RT News tweeted on Monday that Facebook took down its Russian-language page The move comes nearly one year after Meta Platforms — the parent company of Facebook — announced that it would restrict access to RT on all of its platforms across the European Union. Nick …

As Russia struggles in Ukraine, repression mounts at home
2 years ago

As Russia struggles in Ukraine, repression mounts at home

CNN  

CNN — A new expanded law on “foreign agents” in Russia comes into force Thursday, signifying an intensifying crackdown on free speech and opposition under President Vladimir Putin that has accelerated as his fortunes in Ukraine have deteriorated. If the laws are “applied in a haphazard way or readily, you don’t know.” Andrey Soldatov, another exiled Russian journalist, known for …

Meta, Facebook's parent company, now in Russia's 'terrorist and extremist' organisation list
2 years, 2 months ago

Meta, Facebook's parent company, now in Russia's 'terrorist and extremist' organisation list

India Today  

Russia included Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, to its list of "terrorist and extremist" organisations, according to a database of the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring. Earlier this year, a Russian court had banned Facebook and Instagram in the country, labelling its parent company Meta as “extremist”. A month later, in April, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was …

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos
2 years, 2 months ago

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos

Associated Press  

Russia has devised yet another way to spread disinformation about its invasion of Ukraine, using digital tricks that allow its war propaganda videos to evade restrictions imposed by governments and tech companies. Accounts linked to Russian state-controlled media have used the new method to spread dozens of videos in 18 different languages, all without leaving telltale signs that would give …

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos
2 years, 2 months ago

Experts: Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia has devised yet another …

Russia's 'most-complex' disinformation push since Ukraine invasion taken down, Facebook owner says
2 years, 2 months ago

Russia's 'most-complex' disinformation push since Ukraine invasion taken down, Facebook owner says

ABC  

Russia's largest and most complex propaganda push since the war in Ukraine has been taken down, according to the owner of Facebook and Instagram. Key points: The network ran dozens of sham websites designed to look like legitimate news outlets It also involved more than 1,600 fake Facebook profiles Meta says it was disbanded before gaining a large audience The …

Meta disables Russian propaganda network targeting Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

Meta disables Russian propaganda network targeting Europe

Associated Press  

A sprawling disinformation network originating in Russia sought to use hundreds of fake social media accounts and dozens of sham news websites to spread Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine, Meta revealed Tuesday. The fake social media accounts were then used to spread links to the fake news stories and other pro-Russian posts and videos on Facebook and …

Facebook takes down Russian network impersonating European news outlets
2 years, 2 months ago

Facebook takes down Russian network impersonating European news outlets

NPR  

Facebook takes down Russian network impersonating European news outlets Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Facebook parent Meta says it has disrupted a large Russian network of fake accounts impersonating European news outlets to push a pro-Kremlin view of the war in Ukraine. Sponsor Message Russia campaign targeted European support for Ukraine Meta said the …

Meta disables Russia’s anti-Ukraine propaganda targeting Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

Meta disables Russia’s anti-Ukraine propaganda targeting Europe

LA Times  

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, says it has disabled a network of fake accounts that spread Russian propaganda about Ukraine. A sprawling disinformation network originating in Russia sought to use hundreds of fake social media accounts and dozens of sham news websites to spread the Kremlin’s talking points about the invasion of Ukraine, Facebook parent company Meta …

Inside Russia’s Vast Surveillance State: ‘They Are Watching’
2 years, 3 months ago

Inside Russia’s Vast Surveillance State: ‘They Are Watching’

New York Times  

Four days into the war in Ukraine, Russia’s expansive surveillance and censorship apparatus was already hard at work. It has morphed over the years from a sleepy telecom regulator into a full-blown intelligence agency, closely monitoring websites, social media and news outlets, and labeling them as “pro-government,” “anti-government” or “apolitical.” Roskomnadzor has also worked to unmask and surveil people behind …

Despite bans, Russian disinformation spreading in new ways
2 years, 4 months ago

Despite bans, Russian disinformation spreading in new ways

ABC  

The number of sites spreading propaganda about the war in Ukraine has exploded nearly six months after the European Union blocked two of Russia's top misinformation channels. Key points: After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the European Union moved to block RT and Sputnik Russia has found ways to evade the ban, rebranding content to disguise it A New York-based …

Mark Zuckerberg, LinkedIn CEO, others banned from entering Russia
2 years, 8 months ago

Mark Zuckerberg, LinkedIn CEO, others banned from entering Russia

India Today  

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been barred by the Russian foreign ministry from entering the country. The people who are banned from entering Russia also include the CEO of Linkedin Ryan Roslansky along with journalists with profiles who the country claims are promoting a “Russiaphobic” agenda. “The activities of the Meta organisation are directed against Russia and its armed forces,” …

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online
2 years, 8 months ago

Meta: Russian invasion driving more disinformation online

Associated Press  

Hackers aligned with Russia broke into the social media accounts of dozens of Ukrainian military officers and were working to upload videos of defeated and surrendering Ukrainian soldiers when the plot was disrupted, according to a report Thursday from Meta that details a troubling increase in social media disinformation this year. Meta traced the effort to take over the social …

EXPLAINED: Russia's Internet Crackdown
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINED: Russia's Internet Crackdown

News 18  

On the day Russian troops poured into Ukraine, Russia’s state communications regulator Roskomnadzor put out a statement, demanding that media outlets only use official Russian sources to cover the “special operation” in Ukraine. Lawmakers made the spread of “fake” information an offence punishable with fines or a jail term of up to 15 years, a move that led some international …

Today’s Cache | Facebook banned in Russia
2 years, 9 months ago

Today’s Cache | Facebook banned in Russia

The Hindu  

In its latest escalation against Facebook since the Ukraine invasion, Russia has now banned the social network in the country. A Moscow court banned both Facebook and Instagram using Russia’s sweeping law on “extremism” against overseas tech firms. The law comes after a series of pressure from Moscow on U.S. tech firms since the war between Ukraine and Russia began. …

Russia bans Facebook and Instagram after court finds Meta extremist
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia bans Facebook and Instagram after court finds Meta extremist

Op India  

A Russian court has banned Facebook and Instagram in the country, labeling its parent company Meta as “extremist”. Russia had approached the court to declare Meta an extremist organization after it eased its hate speech policies to allow calls for violence against Russians on Facebook and Instagram. Access to Facebook and Instagram was already restricted in Russia after the company’s …

Russia court bans Facebook, Instagram on ‘extremism’ charges
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia court bans Facebook, Instagram on ‘extremism’ charges

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A Moscow court banned Facebook and Instagram on Monday for what it deemed extremist activity in a case against their parent company, Meta. The Tverskoy District Court fulfilled a request from prosecutors to outlaw Meta Platforms Inc. and banned Facebook and Instagram for what they called “extremist activities.” Russian prosecutors have accused the social media platforms of ignoring …

Hackers, nurses and Arnold: Inside the struggle to get information on the Ukraine war to Russians
2 years, 9 months ago

Hackers, nurses and Arnold: Inside the struggle to get information on the Ukraine war to Russians

CNN  

Washington CNN — The information campaign over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in full swing as a wide cast of characters – from the US State Department to Ukrainian hackers to Arnold Schwarzenegger – tries to circumvent Russian censors to get the truth about the war on Ukraine to Russian citizens. Not a ‘silver bullet’ “None of it is a …

What is being done to thwart Russian disinformation on Ukraine?
2 years, 9 months ago

What is being done to thwart Russian disinformation on Ukraine?

Al Jazeera  

On Wednesday, March 16 at 19:30GMT: Russia has been churning out disinformation and propaganda related to its war in Ukraine since before the invasion began. Putin’s government has also clamped down on free speech by threatening to imprison anyone spreading “false information” about the war. On Monday, an anti-war protester interrupted a live news broadcast on Russia’s state-run network, Channel …

From emojis to code phrases, how Russian protesters are evading arrest
2 years, 9 months ago

From emojis to code phrases, how Russian protesters are evading arrest

India Today  

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, social media in the country got flooded with emojis of a sunflower or a walking man. PROTEST AGAINST PUTIN Thousands of Russians took to the streets to decry the invasion of Ukraine as emotional calls for protests grew on social media. People take part in a protest against Russian invasion of Ukraine, …

War censorship exposes Putin’s leaky internet controls
2 years, 9 months ago

War censorship exposes Putin’s leaky internet controls

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Long before waging war on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin was working to make Russia’s internet a powerful tool of surveillance and social control akin to China’s so-called Great Firewall. U.S.-based Cogent, which provides a major “backbone” for internet traffic, has cut direct connections inside Russia but left open the pipes through subsidiaries of Russian network providers at exchanges …

Nick Clegg walks the Facebook free speech tightrope
2 years, 9 months ago

Nick Clegg walks the Facebook free speech tightrope

The Telegraph  

Sir Nick is believed to have wrestled with Zuckerberg’s decision not to take any action against a controversial Donald Trump post during 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests, and he led the decision to ultimately suspend the then-US president’s account the following year. But Russia’s war in Ukraine is the first time he has led the response, tweeting statements lamenting the …

War censorship exposes Putin's leaky internet controls
2 years, 9 months ago

War censorship exposes Putin's leaky internet controls

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On the other, they're wary of helping stifle a …

80 million people in Russia would lose access to Instagram on Monday
2 years, 9 months ago

80 million people in Russia would lose access to Instagram on Monday

India Today  

Russia is all set to ban Instagram and the head Adam Mosseri is not happy about it. Previously, a Meta spokesperson had said that the company had made temporary allowances for forms of political expression that would normally violate Facebook’s hate speech guidelines, such as 'death to the Russian invaders. Post Meta’s new guidelines, Russia’s media regulator said that it …

Russia blocks Instagram over 'death to invaders' posting rule; files criminal case against Meta
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia blocks Instagram over 'death to invaders' posting rule; files criminal case against Meta

Firstpost  

Later, in what appeared to be damage control, Meta’s global affairs president Nick Clegg responded by saying the loosened rules would only apply to people posting from inside Ukraine Washington, United States: Russia moved on Friday to block Instagram access and launched a criminal case against its owner Meta, as Moscow fired back at the tech giant for allowing posts …

Russia to block Instagram over ‘death to invaders’ posting rule
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia to block Instagram over ‘death to invaders’ posting rule

Al Jazeera  

Moscow also opens criminal case into Instagram’s owner, Meta, for allowing posts calling for violence against Russian forces. Russia’s communications and media regulator, Roskomnadzor, said it was restricting access to hugely popular Instagram because of the platform is spreading “calls to commit violent acts against Russian citizens, including military personnel”. ‘Illegal calls’ But Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, …

Russia says it would shut Meta if Facebook permits Putin death calls
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia says it would shut Meta if Facebook permits Putin death calls

The Hindu  

Russia said on Friday it would shut down the activities of Meta Platforms if the operator of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp allowed users to call for violence against Russians and death to President Vladimir Putin. "Meta's aggressive and criminal policy leading to incitement of hatred and hostility towards Russians is outrageous," the Russian embassy in Washington said in a statement …

Facebook allows Ukraine war posts urging violence against invading Russians, Putin
2 years, 9 months ago

Facebook allows Ukraine war posts urging violence against invading Russians, Putin

The Hindu  

Meta Platforms will allow Facebook and Instagram users in some countries to call for violence against Russians and Russian soldiers in the context of the Ukraine invasion, according to internal emails seen by Reuters on Thursday, in a temporary change to its hate speech policy. The temporary policy changes on calls for violence to Russian soldiers apply to Armenia, Azerbaijan, …

Facebook allows posts urging violence against invading Russians
2 years, 9 months ago

Facebook allows posts urging violence against invading Russians

Al Jazeera  

Tech giant says will not allow credible threats against civilians but Russia demands US stop company’s ‘extremist activities’. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has temporarily eased its policy on violent speech following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it will allow statements such as “death to Russian invaders” but not credible threats against civilians. The policy decision …

Elon Musk says Starlink won’t block Russian news sources ‘unless at gunpoint’
2 years, 9 months ago

Elon Musk says Starlink won’t block Russian news sources ‘unless at gunpoint’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk has claimed SpaceX’s satellite broadband company Starlink has been asked by …

Russia blocks Facebook, accusing it of restricting access to Russian media
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia blocks Facebook, accusing it of restricting access to Russian media

The Hindu  

Russia has blocked Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook, the country's communications regulator said on Friday, in response to what it said were restrictions on access to Russian media on the platform. The regulator, Roskomnadzor, said there had been 26 cases of discrimination against Russian media by Facebook since October 2020, with access restricted to state-backed channels like RT and the RIA …

Russia pulls down the cyber iron curtain
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia pulls down the cyber iron curtain

The Telegraph  

Russia’s internet crackdown has been almost immediate. In November 2019, Vladimir Putin ordered a new “sovereign internet law” – a series of updates to Russian legislation designed to make the country’s internet effectively self sufficient. The idea is the creation of a copy of the global internet inside Russia,” says Alena Epifanova of the German Council on Foreign Relations. She …

Russia blocks news sites over Ukraine war coverage: Rights group
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia blocks news sites over Ukraine war coverage: Rights group

Al Jazeera  

Russian authorities have blocked several independent media outlets including news site Mediazona as the Kremlin seeks to control coverage of its war in Ukraine, a rights group has said. Authorities have blocked a number of digital media outlets, including Mediazona, Republic, Snob.ru and Agentstvo, said the digital rights group Roskomsvoboda on Sunday. The group said the independent media had been …

Facebook blocked in Russia, it's taking steps to help users in Ukraine
2 years, 9 months ago

Facebook blocked in Russia, it's taking steps to help users in Ukraine

India Today  

As the world watches in horror, Ukraine's cities are falling one after another and now Meta has come out in full support. We are taking extensive steps across our apps to help ensure the safety of our community and support the people who use our services — both in Ukraine and around the world. Friends Lists: Meta has temporarily removed …

Russia cracks down on dissenting media, blocks Facebook
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia cracks down on dissenting media, blocks Facebook

Associated Press  

DUSSELDORF, Germany — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday intensified a crackdown on media outlets and individuals who fail to hew to the Kremlin line on Russia’s war in Ukraine, blocking Facebook and Twitter and signing into law a bill that criminalizes the intentional spreading of what Moscow deems to be “fake” reports. “The question has to be how do …

Russia cracks down on dissenting media, blocks Facebook
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia cracks down on dissenting media, blocks Facebook

Associated Press  

DUSSELDORF, Germany — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday intensified a crackdown on media outlets and individuals who fail to hew to the Kremlin line on Russia’s war in Ukraine, blocking Facebook and Twitter and signing into law a bill that criminalizes the intentional spreading of what Moscow deems to be “fake” reports. “The question has to be how do …

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow blocks Facebook in country, passes 'fake news' law
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow blocks Facebook in country, passes 'fake news' law

India Today  

Russia said it would block Facebook for excluding state media and CNN said it would stop broadcasting in Russia after a new law punishing "fake news" raised the stakes in Moscow's fight with foreign corporation. The BBC said it would temporarily suspend its work in Russia after introduction of a new law that could jail anyone found to be intentionally …

Russia blocks Facebook and Twitter, and passes law cracking down on independent media
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia blocks Facebook and Twitter, and passes law cracking down on independent media

ABC  

Russia has blocked Facebook and Twitter and passed a law giving Moscow much stronger powers to crack down on independent journalism, prompting the BBC, Bloomberg and other foreign media to suspend reporting in the country. Key points: Those spreading information about the war that the Russian government does not like could face up to 15 years in jail Moscow claims …

Russia restricts access to several Western media websites
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia restricts access to several Western media websites

Al Jazeera  

Russian communications watchdog restricts access to sites including BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe following request by prosecutors. Russia’s media watchdog has said it restricted access to several independent media websites including the BBC, tightening controls over the internet more than one week after Russia invaded Ukraine. Access to websites of the BBC, the independent news website Meduza, German …

Russia blocks access to Facebook amid war with Ukraine
2 years, 9 months ago

Russia blocks access to Facebook amid war with Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

Russia’s communications regulator says it blocked Meta Platforms Inc’s Facebook in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on its platform, more than a week after Moscow invaded its neighbour Ukraine. The regulator, Roskomnadzor, said on Friday there had been 26 cases of discrimination against Russian media by Facebook since October 2020, with access restricted …

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