A spokesman for Meta Platforms, Andy Stone, was added to Russia’s wanted list on Sunday for unidentified offenses. The US social media company, which owns Facebook, is categorized as “extremist” by Moscow.
Since beginning its offensive in Ukraine last year and outlawing criticism of it, Russia has severely clamped down on freedom of the media and social media.
Stone is included, albeit in vague detail, on the list of those sought by Russia’s interior ministry.
In October 2022, Russia listed Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organisation, opening possible criminal investigations and fines for users in the country.
Facebook and Instagram have been blocked in Russia since the start of the Ukraine offensive and are only accessible via VPN.
Twitter and independent Russian media that criticizes the Kremlin are also prohibited.
Millions of Russians used Meta programs prior to the prohibitions, particularly Instagram, which is still quite popular among the country’s youth.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, was placed on Russia’s “blacklist” of individuals prohibited from entering the nation in April 2022.
