Russia’s bid to arrest Meta spokesperson revealed amid media crackdown
Russia has placed Andy Stone, the communications director of social media company Meta, on its wanted list, according to reports. The move comes as Moscow announces new media restrictions ahead of the country’s presidential election next year.
Stone, who represents US tech giant Meta Platforms Inc, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is wanted on unspecified criminal charges, as stated in the Interior Ministry database. The addition of Meta to Russia’s list of terrorists and extremist organizations last year means that Russians using Facebook and Instagram could face potential criminal charges.
News of Stone’s inclusion on the wanted list surfaced this week, although he was reportedly added in February 2022. The Russian authorities did not make any related statements at the time, and no news outlets covered the matter until now, according to independent news website Mediazona.
Furthermore, Russia formally banned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country in April 2022.
The conflict between Russia and Meta escalated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with users from both sides expressing their unfiltered emotions on the platforms. Stone announced temporary adjustments to Meta’s hate speech policy during that time, allowing for forms of political expression that would normally violate [its] rules, like violent speech such as ‘death to the Russian invaders’. However, Stone emphasized that credible calls for violence against Russian civilians would remain prohibited.
In late March, Russia banned Facebook and Instagram, accusing Meta of engaging in extremist activities. Since then, both platforms have been inaccessible in Russia, although many Russians have been using virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass these internet restrictions.
Instagram holds particular popularity in Russia and serves as an essential platform for advertising and sales.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to a law aiming to limit media coverage of the upcoming presidential election, according to local news agencies.
To enforce this ban, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media reportedly plans to block specific VPNs widely used by Russians to bypass internet restrictions.
As next year’s presidential election approaches, Russia’s crackdown on media and its bid to arrest Meta’s spokesperson, Andy Stone, highlight the tightening control over communication channels and freedom of expression in the country. These developments impact millions of users and raise concerns about the future of online platforms in Russia.
