Facebook, Instagram to allow calls for violence against Russians — RT

Meta has confirmed that hate speech calling for violence is now permissible on Facebook and Instagram -- as long as the targets are Russian and the topic of conversation relates to Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine.

The revised rules on violence and incitement will apply in certain countries – such as Ukraine and Poland – and will allow violent rhetoric against Russians and Russian soldiers. The policy change was first reported by Reuters on Thursday, citing internal emails from Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Reuters’ initial headline read: “Facebook and Instagram to temporarily allow calls for violence against Russians,” though it was later changed to “Facebook temporarily allows posts on Ukraine war calling for violence against invading Russians or Putin's death” after Meta spokesman Andy Stone called the media outlet’s take “sensational.”

“As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we have temporarily made allowances for forms of political expression that would normally violate our rules like violent speech, such as ‘death to the Russian invaders,’” Stone said. “We still won’t allow credible calls for violence against Russian civilians,” he added.

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