Facebook has blocked access to accounts originating in Ukraine, some linked to Russian state-backed media outlets, and the EU is also reviewing requests by member governments to restrict access to those accounts in their countries.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s vice president of global affairs, said on Twitter: We have been in contact with the Ukrainian government, and at their request, we have also restricted access to several accounts in the Ukrainian region, including Those belonging to some Russian state media organizations. At the same time, we are reviewing requests from other governments to restrict Russian state-controlled media.
Clegg also acknowledged that some Ukrainians have suggested banning Facebook and Instagram entirely from Russia, but said doing so would suppress important expressions at a critical time. Russia has partially banned the platform after Facebook refused to stop fact-checking and labeling the Russian state-backed media outlet.
We have been in contact with the Government of Ukraine, and at their request we have also restricted access to several accounts in Ukraine, including those belonging to some Russian state media organizations.
— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) February 27, 2022
Veteran Facebook has since set up a special operations center to deal with the situation related to the invasion of Ukraine, and in a post on its blog detailed what it is doing to address user safety, misinformation and state-controlled media measures.
Clegg and Facebook did not say which accounts were restricted in Ukraine or which governments had requested restrictions on Russian state-backed media. On Saturday, Facebook blocked Russian state media from advertising and making money on the platform.
YouTube also took down accounts belonging to Russian state-run media and restricted access to those accounts in Ukraine. The EU has also taken steps to limit the influence of Russia’s state-run media – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a blockade of networks such as RT and Sputnik in the bloc.