Russia Adds Meta Spokesman Andy Stone to Wanted List

Russia has added Meta spokesman Andy Stone to its wanted list, accusing him of inciting violence against Russians.

In a recent development, Russia has added Andy Stone, the spokesman of US tech giant Meta, which owns popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram, to its wanted list. This information was revealed through an online database maintained by the country's interior ministry.

Background

The inclusion of Stone on the wanted list was first reported by Russian state agency Tass and independent news outlet Mediazona on Sunday. This development comes weeks after Russian authorities classified Meta as a "terrorist and extremist" organization in October. This classification opened the way for potential criminal proceedings against Russian residents using Meta's platforms.

Details of the Case

The interior ministry's database does not provide specific details regarding the case against Stone. It merely states that he is wanted on criminal charges. According to Mediazona, Stone was added to the wanted list in February 2022, but authorities made no related statements at the time, and no news media reported on the matter until this week.

Criminal Probe and Hate Speech Policy Changes

In March of this year, Russia's federal Investigative Committee initiated a criminal investigation into Meta. The committee alleged that the company's actions following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 amounted to inciting violence against Russians.

In response to the invasion, Stone announced temporary changes to Meta's hate speech policy. These changes allowed for "forms of political expression that would normally violate its rules, like violent speech such as 'death to the Russian invaders.'" However, Stone emphasized that "credible calls for violence against Russian civilians will remain banned."

Arrest Warrant and Media Restrictions

Mediazona reported that an unspecified Russian court issued an arrest warrant for Stone earlier this month. The charges against him are related to "facilitating terrorism." The source of this information was not specified in the report, and it could not be independently verified.

It is important to note that Western social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (now known as X), were popular among young Russians before Moscow launched its war on Ukraine. However, these platforms have since been blocked in the country as part of a broad crackdown on independent media and critical speech. As a result, these platforms are now only accessible via VPN.

Barring of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg

In April 2022, Russia took further action by formally barring Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from entering the country. This decision reflects the escalating tensions between Russia and Meta.

The addition of Meta spokesman Andy Stone to Russia's wanted list marks a significant development in the country's ongoing crackdown on independent media and critical voices. The case highlights the challenges faced by tech companies operating in Russia and the potential consequences for those who speak out against the government's policies.