Google has stopped selling all online ads in Russia, including the YouTube platform, the company said Thursday.
“In the light of an unusual situation, we are suspending Google’s advertising in Russia,” Google said in a statement. wrap.. “The situation is evolving rapidly and we will continue to share the latest information as needed.”
A spokeswoman said the suspension would apply to Russian state-owned publishers’ sites, apps, YouTube channels and advertisers.
The Epoch Times contacted a Google spokesperson for comment.
Earlier this week, Google moved to block content from Russia’s state media outlets RT and Sputnik throughout Europe.
The company said in a statement that the situation in Ukraine continues and is quickly blocking YouTube channels connected to two EU media.
“This is based on an indefinite monetization suspension across the Russian state media platform, which means that media such as RT cannot cash or promote content on the platform.” The company says. Blog post.
Prior to that, Google banned both RT and Sputnik, and several other Russian channels from making money on websites, apps, and YouTube video ads, in line with recent EU sanctions. ..
We’ve also added an update for sensitive events that block ads related to conflicts.This update is “Citizen’s Emergency, Natural Disaster, Public Health Emergency, Terrorism and Related Activities, Conflicts, or Massive violence.“
“Because of the delicate event in progress (war in Ukraine), it will come into effect soon. We are suspending advertising from the state media of the Russian Federation and advertising in that media,” the company said in the latest information. increase.
Other Google services such as maps and YouTube will continue to be available in Russia, and the company will continue to “provide access to global information and perspectives.” Said..
The The Wall Street Journal Roskomnadzor, a Russian communications oversight agency, has displayed an online video ad that describes what is happening in Ukraine as “false political information” about Ukraine with the aim of “misunderstanding Russian viewers.” I asked Google to stop it, “he reported on Thursday.
Watchdog reportedly claims that Google’s YouTube video service is “running a large advertising campaign to mislead Russian viewers” and “creates a distorted perception of what’s happening today.” For that purpose, “he announced that he was fueling the protest.
Thousands of people have recently been arrested in Russia for protesting President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Roskomnadzor’s deputy director, Vadim Subbotin, said he was considering amending the law to allow Watchdog to block Google if Russia did not comply with domestic Internet law.
“Current law does not provide for blocking [Google]It stipulates the distribution of administrative fines, ”Zharov was quoted as saying by the Russian press. Interfax communication.
“But if you reach a dead end, please understand that there is every opportunity to solve this problem at the legislative level. Some foreign companies do not consistently and systematically comply with Russian law and the state states. If we decide, the state will amend the law and if it does not comply with Russian law, it may be subject to stricter penalties such as blocking, “Subbotin said.
The alleged demands of Russian regulators are part of the Kremlin’s broader crackdown on what is considered an “informal” report of the Ukrainian aggression.
On Friday, Parliament will meet at a special session to consider legalizing a bill that would make such a report a crime punishable by imprisonment of up to 15 years.
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Katabella Roberts is a reporter currently based in Turkey. She focuses primarily on the United States and covers the news and business of The Epoch Times.