Russia has added a spokesperson for US tech giant company Meta, to the wanted list. The Voice of America has cited the report of the online database which is maintained by the countrys interior ministry.On Saturday, Metas spokesperson Andy Stone was reported on the list by the Russian state agency Tass. Russia labels Meta as terrorist and extremist organizationEarlier in October, Russian authorities labeled Meta as a terrorist and extremist organization, which might open the way for criminal proceedings against Russians using its platforms. This development could lead to criminal investigations and additional charges against users.🚨 BREAKING: Metas Mouthpiece Marked by Moscow!Andy Stone, the vocal rep for Meta, finds himself on Russias radar, slapped onto their wanted list.This bold move by the Kremlin cranks up the heat in the digital cold war, as Meta previously muzzled Russian state media… pic.twitter.com/1KZ5HjWIXw— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 27, 2023However, The interior ministrys database didnt clarify the details of the case against Metas spokesperson, stating that he is wanted on criminal charges only.Furthermore, Voice of America cited the report of Mediazon which claimed that Stone has been on the wanted list since February 2022, but officials didnt made any related statements until this week.What is Andy Stones responseIn the meantime, in response to Russias military incursion into Ukraine, Andy Stone declared that Metas hate speech policy would be temporarily changed. In a statement, he said, that modifications enabled forms of political expression that would normally violate (its) rules, like violent speech such as death to the Russian invaders.Furthermore, he said, credible calls for violence against Russian civilians will remain prohibited. Why has Russia banned social media platformsEarlier, social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), were popular amongst youth before Moscow declared war on its neighbor country Ukraine. Since then, the nation has prohibited the well-known applications as part of a larger campaign against independent media and other types of dissenting expression. In April 2022, Russia also banned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country.
