Meta's social networks Facebook, Instagram banned in Russia for extremist activities - court

(Interfax) - Moscow's Tverskoi District Court has granted the Russian Prosecutor General's Office's lawsuit seeking a ban in the country on the operations of the company Meta Platforms Inc. for refusing to delete calls for violence against Russians, including troops, an Interfax correspondent reported from the courtroom.

"The court has ruled to grant the Russian Prosecutor General's Office's lawsuit [...]. The court decision is to be fulfilled immediately," Judge Olga Solopova said in her decision on Monday.

The agency said during the court hearing that these measures will not apply to the messenger WhatsApp.

The Prosecutor General's Office also said the use of these social networks should not be regarded as participation in extremist activities.