--- title: "Facebook Says It’s Okay to Call for Violence Against Vladimir Putin, as a Treat" description: "It's now okay for users in some countries to call for violence against Russians on Facebook — but only if it's the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine." date: "2022-03-11" modified: "2022-03-11" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/facebook-violence-against-russians" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "facebook" - "Russia" - "the digest" --- # Facebook Says It’s Okay to Call for Violence Against Vladimir Putin, as a Treat ![It's now okay for users in some countries to call for violence against Russians on Facebook — but only if it's the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.]() *\Image: ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP via Getty Images\* ## Urging Violence It's now okay for Facebook users in some countries to call for violence against Russian soldiers and even Russian president Vladimir Putin on the platform, according to internal company emails [obtained by *Reuters*]() — though calls for violence against Russian civilians are still verboten. It's a bizarre decision that underlines just how much sway Facebook and Meta have over what can or cannot be said online. The news comes after Russia announced it will completely [block all access]() to Facebook in the country, in retaliation over the company's refusal to reverse its decision to block Russian propaganda outlets on the platform. "As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine we have temporarily made allowances for forms of political expression that would normally violate our rules like violent speech such as 'death to the Russian invaders,'" a Meta spokesperson told *Reuters* in a statement. ## Credible Threats There are some notable caveats to the eyebrow-raising policy change. "We still won't allow credible calls for violence against Russian civilians," the spokesperson added. And posts with actual plans to dispose of Putin, including details like a time or place, will also be removed as that would violate Facebook's rules over inciting violence. You are also only allowed to wish death upon Russian soldiers if you happen to be in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine of course, according to the leaked email. Is it retaliation over Russia's decision to block Facebook? It's tough to say, but it is an uncomfortable revelation, regardless of the bloodshed in Ukraine. The stakes are higher than ever — but an angry online mob isn't likely to help in any meaningful way, either. **READ MORE:** [Facebook allows war posts urging violence against Russian invaders]() \[*Reuters*\] **More on Facebook:** *[Russia Is Officially Blocking All Access to Facebook]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()