Facebook owner Meta (META.O), opens new tab said on Monday it was banning RT, Russia today and other Russian state media networks from its platforms, claiming the outlets had used deceptive tactics to carry out covert influence operations online.
The ban, strongly criticised by the Kremlin, marks a sharp escalation in measures by the world's biggest social media company against Russian state media, after years of more limited steps such as blocking the outlets from running ads and reducing the reach of their posts.
Enforcement of the ban would roll out over the coming days, it said. In addition to Facebook, Meta's apps include Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday: "Meta is discrediting itself with these actions. Such selective actions against Russian media are unacceptable ...
"This complicates prospects for normalising our relations with Meta."
Moscow branded Meta an "extremist" organisation in 2022 and blocked Instagram and Facebook, objecting to changes in Meta's hate speech policy designed to allow users to vent their anger over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
