Meta Imposes Restrictions on Russian Media Due to Invasion of Ukraine

The Russian authorities are exerting intense pressure on the media and social networks to control and remove what they believe to be false reports about the invasion of Ukraine. Initially, they tried to make Meta get rid of some of the materials, as well as stop using warning labels and fact-checkers on all of its platforms. Of course, the company refused to comply with such an order.

In response, the Russian authorities announced that they would slow down and even stop the operation of Meta services in the country, as they allegedly violate the rights and freedoms of citizens. Users really began to experience problems with sending and reading messages. Such a move could not go unanswered by the tech giant, and Meta banned state-owned Russian media from monetizing content and placing ads. The company also says it will continue to assign labels to let users know which channel is owned or controlled by the authorities.

The Ukraine crisis is the largest and most shocking event over the years. The Russian authorities use online information platforms and social networks to spread misleading news. It cannot be allowed since many users follow the course of events on the Internet and should have access to the most truthful information, as well as know which sources the data comes from.

For residents of Ukraine, Meta has implemented some features that allow them to restrict access to their profiles to maintain personal security. Recall that the company previously offered this approach to users from Afghanistan. A Special Operations Center was also opened, which closely monitors the situation in Ukraine and the news about it. What other steps do you think Meta could take to keep users safe from misinformation?