Russia bans Instagram and Facebook as ‘extremist’

Facebook and Twitter have been inaccessible in Russia since early March and Instagram was blocked in the country a week ago. — AFP

MOSCOW: A Russian court on March 21 banned Facebook and Instagram as "extremist", part of sweeping efforts by Moscow to crack down on social media during the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russian authorities have accused US tech giant Meta – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – of tolerating "Russophobia" since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.