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• Russia demands YouTube to stop spreading actions that are ‘terrorist’ in nature
• YouTube under pressure from Kremlin for blocking Russian state-funded media globally
Russia on Friday asked Alphabet Inc’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Google to stop spreading what the country labeled as ‘threats’ against its citizens on YouTube, which is seen as the first step towards a possible ban of the service.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s IT and communication regulator, said advertisements on YouTube are calling for the communications systems of Russia and Belarus’ railway networks to be suspended.
Although Moscow did not say which accounts were publishing the adverts, the regulator claimed that the dissemination of such advertisements is evidence of the U.S. tech giant’s anti-Russian position.
“The actions of YouTube’s administration are of a terrorist nature and threaten the life and health of Russian citizens,” the regulator said.
“Roskomnadzor categorically opposes such advertising campaigns and demands that Google stop broadcasting anti-Russia videos as soon as possible.”
Moreover, YouTube is under heavy pressure from Kremlin for blocking Russian state-funded media globally.
Blocking access to other platforms
Russia has already blocked access to social media platforms, including Meta Platform Inc’s (NASDAQ: FB) Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Inc (NASDAQ: TWTR) and several independent media.
Moscow earlier this month launched a criminal case against Meta, accusing the company of allowing posts “calling for the murder” of Russians.
Russia is one of the most restrictive countries for press freedom and freedom of expression.
The situation has worsened further in the past three weeks since Russia started a so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24.
Picture Credit: Reuters