In response to the attack on Ukraine, Google blocked several Russian media channels on YouTube, such as those of RT, RBC, TV Zvezda, and Sputnik.
In response to this, Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor has written to Google demanding that YouTube lift the restrictions and restore access to channels in Ukraine.
Quoted from PC Mag, Monday (2/28/2022), there has been no response from Google regarding this request from Russia and how YouTube plans to deal with this demand.
"American internet services, including the video hosting platform YouTube, are participating in the media war, deliberately restricting Russian media, including those that are official Russian sources of information," Roskomnadzor wrote.
Citing Sputnik News, Russia's media regulator noted, "such actions violate the main principles of the free distribution of information and unhindered access of citizens to it."
It is known YouTube is not the only service owned by the company under Alphabet that sparked the anger of the Russian government.
According to a Reuters report, another request from the Ukrainian government led Google to remove the RT News app from the Google Play Store in the country.
Russian Media Monetization Blocking
Previously, YouTube temporarily blocked ad monetization on YouTube channels belonging to Russian government-affiliated media. That way, several YouTube media channels affiliated with the country's government cannot get income from advertising.
Reuters first reported this information as Russian troops launched attacks on Ukrainian territory. YouTube also confirmed that it was pausing the ability of several YouTube channels to monetize their content.
"Some of these are Russian YouTube channels affiliated with the recent sanctions," he was quoted as saying by The Verge, Sunday (2/27/2022).
YouTube spokesman Farshad Shadloo told Reuters that YouTube would be less likely to recommend Russian state-run media to users.
Some YouTube channels, including RT media, will be restricted from viewing recommendations in Ukraine due to the country's government.
Not only that, YouTube has previously labeled videos uploaded by Russian-run internet networks since 2018.
With YouTube banning RT from running ads, it's still unclear which other channels will be temporarily restricted from ad monetization.
Facebook has also paused ads from state-affiliated Russian media. Twitter previously suspended all ads in Ukraine and Russia to help ensure the visibility of public safety information.
Since then, Russia has restricted access to Facebook and Twitter. However, Russia has not blocked YouTube.