Russia asked Twitter on Monday to block access to a dozen accounts it deems “extremist.
The request was made by the head of communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, Alexander Zharov, at a meeting with Twitter’s Vice-President Colin Crowell.
“I hope the content of some extremist blogs will be deleted. It does not matter where the blog has been registered. It is important that it is kept in a language that Russian residents understand. It concerns not only Russian users. Even if the account has been registered on the territory of Ukraine, this information would be considered extremist as well. The management of Twitter has heard us and I hope that these accounts will be deleted in the nearest time,” Zharov said.
“That claim is inaccurate, as we did not agree to remove the accounts,” Nu Wexler, a spokesman for Twitter, said in a statement.
According to Reuters” Last month, Twitter blocked access in Russia to an account linked to a far-right Ukrainian nationalist group”.
Russia introduced a rule in February that authorities can now block websites deemed either extremist or a threat to public order without a court ruling.
