March 21, 2022

Russia has asked Google to stop spreading threats against Russian citizens on its YouTube platform.

According to Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, YouTube was reportedly promoting adverts calling for the communications systems of Russia and Belarus’ railway networks to be suspended.

“The actions of YouTube’s administration are of a terrorist nature and threaten the life and health of Russian citizens. Roskomnadzor categorically opposes such advertising campaigns and demands that Google stop broadcasting anti-Russia videos as soon as possible,” the agency stated.

Anton Gorelkin, a member of Russia’s State Duma Committee on information and communications warned that YouTube could be banned just like Instagram if the company continues “to act as a weapon in the information war.”

Russia is now working towards creating its own version of widely used apps and platforms. It has replaced YouTube with RuTube, Instagram with Rossgram, and TikTok with Yappy.

For more information, read the original story in Reuters.