Previously, YouTube had blocked the Moscow Stock Exchange channel. The account was blocked for violating video hosting rules.

Moscow may block access to YouTube

Russian authorities have increasingly signaled their intention to block YouTube on Russian soil, potentially forcing Russians to use social media platforms that the Kremlin influences or controls. Russia’s federal censor Roskomnadzor has accused YouTube of “numerous violations” of Russian law and “disrespect” for Russia and its citizens, and warned that these actions were grounds for “taking action” against YouTube.
– says the ISW review.

Experts see this as an increase in Russians’ efforts to control their online activities and the emergence of a culture of self-censorship in Russia.

And the invaders are taking the first steps towards a real ban on video hosting.

For example, the chairman of the Information Policy Committee of the Russian State Duma, Oleksandr Khinshtein, said: YouTube will load 40% slower in the coming daysThis is because Russian data centers that cooperate with Google under vague “gray plans” aim to stop these plans.

It is interesting that earlier the Russian telecommunications giant “Rostelecom” stated: YouTube download slow in Russia is due to lack of Russian servers hosting YouTube.

The opposition publication “Verstka” wrote: Russia aims to replace YouTube with the Vkontakte (VK) video service, as evidenced by the intention to upload all Russian-language videos from YouTube to the VK service by autumn 2024.The mass media are citing a source within Putin’s administration.

“Vkontakte” is completely controlled by the authorities. The social network is managed by Volodymyr KiriyenkoSon of AP vice-president Serhii Kyriyenko. The latter, as is known, heads several IPSOs.

Putin spoke about censorship

As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported, Russian legislation is expanding and covers not only “ordinary life” but also the Internet. That’s why censors must protect officials and the military from “discrediting”.

“It looks like the Kremlin is trying to create a culture of compliance with censorship. use only approved programs and self-censorship of oppositional or other content that does not align with the government’s goals. ISW noted that Russia’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a list of Russian programs that Russian equipment manufacturers must pre-install on smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and other similar devices.