For many Russian businesses, the social network was a leading platform for advertising and communicating with clients
“This [Instagram] is my life, this is my soul. This is what I have been waking up to and falling asleep with for the last five years,”the fashion blogger Karina Nigay, who boasts nearly 3 million followers, through tears. “I’m in a state of resentment and nowhere near a state of acceptance.”
The move to block Instagram came as the app had emerged as one of the last platforms for Russians to voice their opposition to the invasion of Ukraine, with Russian artists, bloggers and athletes using the social network to speak out against the war. Russia had already launched an unprecedented crackdown on independent media and anti-war dissent after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
But for many small and medium-sized Russian businesses, Instagram was also a leading platform for advertising, organising sales and communicating with clients, and the move to block the app will likely further undermine the business climate in the country. Karina Istomina: ‘Roughly half of all my income came through Instagram advertising. To be honest with you, I am absolutely devastated that I am losing my page.’Many influencers and businesses like Outlaw on Sunday were posting links to their Telegram and VKontakte channels, two Russian-founded platforms that will welcome the influx of new users.
With many Kremlin critics now moving to Telegram, experts say the messaging app might soon also be blocked or seized by the Kremlin.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russia-Ukraine war latest news: military base 50km from Lviv hit by Russian missiles – liveUkraine’s president says the capital will only fall to Russian troops if it is completely destroyed, while Moscow warns western shipments of arms to Ukraine could be attacked
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war update: what we know on day 18 of the Russian invasionRocket attack on military base near Lviv kills at least 35, as US film-maker Brent Renaud dies in Irpin
Read more »
Human rights advocates warn Kremlin's ban on Instagram will have far-reaching impactsCitizens in Russia have had a key communication channel cut after the Kremlin blocked Instagram, extending the clampdown on information critical of the government.
Read more »
Australia extends sanctions against Russia to include Roman AbramovichSanctions imposed by Australia against prominent Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich won’t exact financial pain, but the global push to isolate Russia is taking its toll, anaylsts have told SBS News. StaynerThomas
Read more »
Kherson diary: ‘The poultry all had to be slaughtered. Now the city smells of chicken soup’A first-hand account of the Russian occupation of the city by two female journalists
Read more »
Beto O’Rourke calls Texas governor Greg Abbott an ‘authoritarian’ and ‘thug’The Democratic gubernatorial candidate compared his Republican opponent to the Russian president Vladimir Putin
Read more »