More people used Facebook in the first quarter than analysts expected, easing concerns about competition from TikTok.

The ruling amounts to an immediate ban of Facebook and Instagram in Russia, where both platforms are already blocked. WhatsApp, which is owned by the same company, is still allowed.

Sister app Instagram is also launching new parental controls, as the social media company faces pressure to address safety risks to kids in virtual reality.

Russia's top prosecutor called for Facebook and Instagram's parent company to be labeled an extremist group after Meta said it would permit some calls for violence against "Russian invaders."

Russians face a confusing patchwork of online restrictions as the Kremlin cracks down on the free flow of information on social media.

Russia has cut off access to Facebook inside the country in response to the tech giant's blocking of state-backed media outlets in the European Union.

Kremlin-backed news outlets RT and Sputnik have become flashpoints for social media companies that are under pressure to curb the spread of Russian propaganda and disinformation.

Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft are taking steps to curb Russian propaganda, but they don't want to be kicked out of the country and limit Russians' access to their platforms.

Facebook parent company Meta says it has uncovered Russian efforts to undermine trust in the Ukrainian government and to hack Ukrainian military officials and journalists using social media.

The moves come as U.S. tech platforms are under pressure to take a stronger stance against Russia and limit disinformation.

A watchdog group says Facebook only labeled about half of posts promoting articles from the world's main publishers of climate denial. Facebook says it was still rolling out its system at the time.

Thursday on Political Rewind: A bill from the Georgia Senate would allow people to sue companies if their social media posts are removed or altered. The University of Georgia released a study saying abortions could be cut down with access to more morning-after pills. And texts are released from defendants in Ahmaud Arbery's murder.

Investors wiped more than $250 billion off the market value of Facebook owner Meta after the company warned competition from TikTok is weighing on growth.

Jessica and Nikii Gerson-Neeves don't want to end the standoff that has brought joy to so many people. But they also want to use their blender, which has been in a box in their kitchen since December.

The judge had previously tossed the FTC's first attempt at attacking Facebook's alleged monopoly power for lack of evidence. This time, the judge said the FTC "has done its homework."