Roskomnadzor has decided to take informative and economic enforcement actions against Google “for numerous violations of Russian law.” This was confirmed by the department’s press in the official statement.
In particular, the following measures will be applied to Google and its information resources:
- Informing search engines of Internet users about a violation by a foreign person of Russian legislation;
- A ban on the distribution of Google advertising and its information resources as an object of advertising.
Roskomnadzor explained:
“YouTube video hosting has become one of the key platforms spreading fakes about the course of a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In addition, YouTube does not fight the dissemination of information by extremist organizations such as the Right Sector and the nationalist Azov Regiment. To date, over 12,000 such banned materials remain unremoved.”
According to the agency, since April 2020, about 60 incidents have been identified related to discrimination by YouTube video hosting of content from Russian media, government, public and sports organisations and figures. In particular, the blocking of accounts or content of news agencies such as Russia Today, Russia 24, Sputnik, Zvezda, RBC, NTV and many others was revealed.
These measures will be in effect until Google completely eliminates violations of Russian law.
