Russian court labels Meta 'extremist', bans Facebook and Instagram

• Russian court banned Facebook and Instagram.
• The decision was taken when Meta was found to be 'extremist'.
• Russia has been building alternatives by creating local social media platforms.

A Russian court on Monday banned Facebook and Instagram in the country after finding Meta Platforms Inc. 'extremist', TASS news agency reported.

Russia has already banned Facebook for restricting access to Russian media while Instagram was blocked after Meta said it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages urging violence against Russian President Vladimir Putin and troops Moscow sent into Ukraine on February 24.