Russia has restricted access to Twitter in parts of the country, the social media platform confirmed on February 28, 2022. Twitter stated that it was aware of the restrictions and working to keep its services safe and accessible. This move comes days after Russia restricted access to Facebook following a clash over censorship. Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, accused Facebook of violating the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.
The restrictions on Twitter were reported by internet connectivity watchers at NetBlocks, who said that there was a total or near-total restriction on the platform in Russia. In contrast, Facebook and Instagram were not observably restricted to the same extent. The actions are seen as a response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with many videos and images of the conflict going viral on social media. The BBC's Moscow correspondent, Steve Rosenberg, reported difficulty tweeting from Russia.
The Russian regulator, Roskomnadzor, had demanded that Facebook lift restrictions on state news agency RIA, state TV channel Zvezda, and pro-Kremlin news sites Lenta.Ru and Gazeta.Ru. Facebook's parent company, Meta, refused to comply with the demands, leading to the restrictions on Facebook. Meta's vice-president of global affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, stated that Russian authorities had ordered the company to stop independent fact-checking and labelling of content from state-owned news organisations.
Sir Nick Clegg emphasised that Meta wanted ordinary Russians to continue using its platforms to express themselves and organise for action. The company has set up a special operations centre to monitor content about the conflict in Ukraine. Many state-owned media outlets in Russia have presented a positive picture of Russian military advances in Ukraine, calling the invasion a "special military operation".
The restrictions on social media access have significant implications for the free flow of information in Russia, particularly during a time of crisis. NetBlocks Director Alp Toker stated that the restriction of Twitter would limit the public's access to information when they need it most. Circumvention of the restrictions is currently possible using VPN services, which can work around government-imposed restrictions.
The conflict in Ukraine has also raised concerns about the potential impact on food supplies in Africa. The invasion has disrupted global food systems, and many countries in Africa rely heavily on imports from Ukraine and Russia. The international community is monitoring the situation closely, with many organisations working to mitigate the effects of the conflict on global food security.
The restrictions on social media access in Russia are part of a broader crackdown on online freedoms. The country's communications regulator has been actively working to control online content, and the restrictions on Twitter and Facebook are seen as part of this effort. The situation is being closely watched by human rights organisations and free speech advocates, who are concerned about the implications for online freedoms in Russia.
Key points
- Russia restricts access to Twitter amid ongoing Ukraine invasion
- Restrictions follow clash over censorship with Facebook
- Move seen as part of broader crackdown on online freedoms in Russia
