Meta Spokesman Andy Stone Lands on Russia’s ‘Wanted’ List Over Facebook and Instagram Speech Policies
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone has been included on Russia’s wanted list, adding another dimension to the ongoing information war paralleling the invasion of Ukraine. Last month, Russian authorities designated Meta as a terrorist and extremist organization. On Sunday, both Russian state agency Tass and independent news outlet Mediazona reported that Stone has been placed on the list, referring to an online database maintained by Russia’s interior ministry.
The specifics of the criminal charges against Stone remain undisclosed in the database. However, Mediazona stated that he has been on the list since February 2022, which coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At that time, Stone made an announcement regarding Meta’s temporary suspension of hate speech policies, enabling the allowance of statements such as death to the Russian invaders. These statements, typically in violation of the platform’s rules, were still restricted to exclude any credible calls for violence against Russian civilians.
Russia interpreted Meta’s policy as an incitement of violence against its citizens. Consequently, Facebook, Instagram, and X (previously known as Twitter) have all been blocked within Russia as the Kremlin targets independent media and critical speech. Moreover, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has officially been prohibited from entering the country.
Recent additions to Russia’s expanding wanted list include Ukrainian pop singer Jamala, the winner of the 2016 Eurovision song contest, who has been accused of spreading false information about the war. Additionally, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Pussy Riot member Lyusya Shtein have also been listed, according to Reuters.
This development underscores the ongoing struggle between Meta and the Russian government, as both parties engage in a battle of information amid the conflict in Ukraine. The global implications of this clash continue to unfold, with implications for freedom of speech and the control of online platforms.
