Google has blocked the Russian YouTube channel Duma TV, according to . On Saturday, the company said it had “terminated” the channel that broadcasts the meetings of the Russian lower house, for violating the platform’s terms of service.
“If we find that an account violates our Terms of Service, we will take appropriate action,” a Google spokesperson told the outlet. “Our teams are closely monitoring the situation for any updates and changes.” The company added it was committed to complying with sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in late February.
The suspension quickly infuriated Russian officials when a spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry warned YouTube had “signed its own order.” Russia’s telecom regulator Roskomnadzor condemned the move and demanded that Google restore Duma TV’s YouTube access immediately. “The company adheres to a clear stance against Russia in the information war waged by the West against our country,” the agency said.
Responses from Russian authorities suggest that YouTube could become the latest Western internet service in the face of domestic restrictions. Immediately after the war in Ukraine began on February 24, Russia turned to access Twitter. In March, it cuts off and – but not WhatsApp due to the popularity of the chat application among Russian citizens. They later found Meta-owned services guilty of “extreme” activity after the company said it would allows violent calls in Ukraine and some other countries.
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