Facebook, Instagram allow users to call for violence against “Russian invaders”

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said that Facebook and Instagram would temporarily allow forms of political expression that would normally violate their terms of service, including violent speech in the context of the Ukraine invasion.

Meta’s temporary exceptions represent an attempt to adapt to a highly unstable and tense situation, according to Emerson Brooking, a disinformation expert at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab.

“Facebook is trying to write the rules of war in real time. War and violence are inextricably intertwined, it is impossible to separate them”, Brooking added.

While Facebook has argued that its policy changes regard Russian soldiers, civilians could face violence, Brooking warned.

Facebook previously allowed “death” messages to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for two weeks in June 2021.

Twitter has yet to update its rules over calls for violence. Despite this, American Senator Lindsey Graham’s call for the murder of Russian President Vladimir Putin last week has still not been deleted by Twitter.

In parallel with the sanctions introduced by the Western countries, Facebook closed the accounts of Russian media outlets, which it considers pro- government. Moscow has also banned Facebook on Russian territory, where access to Twitter is also significantly restricted.

Russia also passed a bill last week that seeks up to 15 years in prison for anyone who spreads “fake news” against its military forces or calls for sanctions against Moscow.

Several big tech companies have been cut off from Russia. Microsoft and Apple have stopped selling products in Russia, as Netflix, Intel or Airbnb have also suspended their business operations.

Google, which no longer sells ads in Russia, announced on Thursday that it will also suspend paid applications over the coming days.