Russia on Friday demanded Alphabet Inc.’s Google stop broadcasting what it called threats against Russian citizens on its YouTube video platform, a move that could herald a complete shutdown of the service on Russian soil.
Google representatives in Russia and abroad did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.
The Russian regulator, Roskomnadzorsaid that the announcements on the platform called for the suspension of the communication systems of the railway networks of Russia and Belarus, and that their dissemination was proof of the anti-Russian position of the American technology giant.
“The actions of the YouTube administration are terrorist in nature and threaten the life and health of Russian citizens.” the regulator said. “Roskomnadzor is categorically opposed to such advertising campaigns and demands that Google stop broadcasting anti-Russian videos as soon as possible.”.
The warning is the latest skirmish between Vladimir Putin’s government and foreign tech companies over Ukraine.
YouTube, which has blocked Russian state-funded media outlets around the world, is under heavy pressure from Russia’s communications regulator and politicians.
The Russian government blocked Instagram this week, outraged that Meta Platforms allowed social media users to Ukraine post messages like “Death to the Russian invaders”. It had previously blocked access to Facebook for what it saw as restrictions on the Russian media.
In early March, thecomputer army” group of volunteer hackers from Ukraine announced a new series of targets, among which was the railway network of Belarus, whose dictatorial regime is a close ally of Putin.
Source: Gestion
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