Russia says it’s blocking Facebook in alarming new censorship push

Russia’s communications company Roskomnadzor announced Friday that it is blocking access to Facebook in Russia. It cited 26 instances of “discrimination against Russian media and information resources by Facebook” since October 2020, along with the more moderen restrictions Facebook has positioned on Russian state media retailers.

The block comes after rising home protests over the nation’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russians have taken to the streets in huge numbers to protest the continuing invasion, frightening thousands of arrests. The regime has denied any plans to institute martial law, however has issued ongoing threats to retailers that publish data vital of the continuing battle effort, together with Wikipedia.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian legislature superior a brand new legislation towards spreading “fake news” concerning the nations armed forces, punishable by as much as 15 years in jail. Shortly after the invoice was superior, the BBC introduced it could droop journalistic operations inside the nation.

Many tech platforms have already begun limiting providers in Russia. Google-owned YouTube has blocked Russian information channels RT and Sputnik in Europe, for instance, whereas Facebook has blocked RT and Sputnik within the EU and stopped recommending Russian state media globally. Apple has additionally halted product gross sales within the nation.

More than 1 million Ukrainians have fled the nation because of the invasion, in response to a recent estimate by the United Nations’ refugee agency.