Facebook Blocks Russian State Media From Running Ads On Its Platform

Amid the ongoing unrest happening in Ukraine as a result of a Russian invasion. Meta owned platform Facebook announces that state-run Russian media outlets are now been blocked from certain activities like advertising and monetizing content on its platform.

According to a recent tweet by Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of security policy, he noted that “We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world.” He further disclosed that “These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend.” in his tweet he also assured of the platform’s addition of labels to “additional Russian state media,” an initiative Facebook rolled out for all state-controlled media outlets since 2020.

In a bit to make users feel safe on its platform, Facebook introduces a “one-click tool” in Ukraine. This tool lets users lock their profiles while preventing anyone but friends from viewing their posts, photos, and Stories. This feature was launched during the crisis that took place in Afghanistan in August. Facebook has also established a Special Operations Center which would be responsible for monitoring and responding to the developing conflict. These are a few things Facebook has done to prove it has its users at heart.

Although Russia has already temporarily cut off access to Facebook within its country. This was as a result of claims by the Russian government that the platform placed restrictions on four accounts associated with Russian media outlets. The Russian tech and communications regulator has warned that the social network put an end to fact-checking and labelling content from state-owned media, but Facebook refused to comply. As a result, a partial block was issued.

Despite the level of ongoing unrest in the Russian-Ukrainian region, Facebook’s Gleicher has assured that the social media giant “is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and will keep sharing steps we’re taking to protect people on our platform.”