Technological Yandex warns of unreliability of online information after Kremlin threat to media

Russian tech giant Yandex has started warning Russian users looking for news about Ukraine on its search engine about unreliable information on the internet, after Moscow threatened Russian media outlets for what they publish.

Authorities threatened on Thursday to block media articles containing what Moscow described as “false information” in connection with his military operation in Ukraine, an offensive that has seen Ukrainian forces battle Russian invaders on three sides and missiles hit the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.

“Some materials on the internet may contain inaccurate information. please be attentive”, said a message under the Yandex search bar when searching for the latest news on Ukraine. The message was only displayed to users searching in Russian.

Yandex said the message automatically appears on search queries for which there is an abnormal spike in growth or rapid updates in the news. “The message is not linked to any lawsuitYandex said.

The company said the message first appeared on Thursday night.

On Thursday, Russia’s state communications regulator Roskomnadzor reported that the amount of information “unverified and unreliable appearing online” has increased significantly and reminded publishers to establish whether information is truthful before publishing it.

There is no indication that Roskomnadzor has started blocking items for Russian users. Earlier this month, the regulator ordered some media outlets to remove articles about corruption allegations by imprisoned opposition politician Alexei Navalny from their websites.

“They must use information and data received only from official Russian sources.” said Roskomnadzor in connection with the articles on the “special operation” From Russia. Those who spread what he calls “false information” they may be fined or their items may be blocked.