Russia restricts access to Twitter, Facebook

The Russian telecoms regulator has decided to block Facebook in response to its blocking of Russian media outlets' accounts.

 Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021 (photo credit: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC)
Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken, July 13, 2021
(photo credit: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC)

The Russian telecoms regulator has decided to block Facebook in response to its blocking of Russian media outlets' accounts, The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) said.

"It was decided on March 4, 2022 to block access to the Facebook website (owned by Meta Platforms, Inc.) in the Russian Federation,"  Roskomnadzor stated.

"Over the past few days the social media platform restricted access to the accounts of the television channel Zvezda, the RIA Novosti news agency, Sputnik, Russia Today, Lenta.ru, and Gazeta.ru news outlets," Roskomnadzor added.

Later on Friday, Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor has also restricted access to Twitter, Tass news agency said Friday. Interfax news agency earlier said the service had been blocked. 

This is a developing story.