war in Ukraine
Russia initiates possible blocking of Google and Youtube
Russia accuses Google of “terrorist activities” and a “clearly anti-Russian attitude” (symbol image)
© Tolga Akmen / DPA
After a number of online media such as Facebook and Twitter have already been banned, the Russian government is now planning to block Google and YouTube as well. The media regulator accuses the company of “terrorist activities”.
The Russian authorities have initiated a possible blocking of the US group Google and its video platform YouTube. The Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor accused Google of “terrorist activities” on Friday. The platform allows YouTube users to share advertisements calling for “interruption of rail traffic between Russia and Belarus”.
“The activities of the YouTube operator are of a terrorist nature and threaten the life and health of Russian citizens,” the Russian news agency Interfax quoted the authority as saying.
Russia massively restricts access to online media
Roskomnadzor condemned Google’s “clearly anti-Russian stance”. The authority asked the company to “stop broadcasting anti-Russian videos as soon as possible”. Russia has already blocked access to the country’s popular online networks Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The meta-corporation, which owns Instagram and Facebook, had earlier relaxed rules against hate speech related to the Russian military and Russian politicians. The Russian judiciary has therefore already initiated criminal proceedings against Meta.
Since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have massively restricted access to online media. A new law also provides for draconian prison sentences for “false information” about the Russian army. Most of the last independent media outlets have been blocked since the Russian offensive began on February 24, and numerous foreign broadcasters have suspended their coverage from Moscow for the time being.