Google restricts creation of new accounts in Russia.
Google has stopped letting people in Russia create new accounts according to Russia’s digital ministry on Friday. This comes after Russia complained about Google not removing unwanted content and blocking Russian media and public figures on YouTube. It was said that Google has been under pressure in Russia for years as Russia wants Google to remove certain content but Google refuses to do so. Since its been a discussion about content moderation on Google, the platform also blocked some Russian YouTube channels after Russia invaded Ukraine and stopped showing ads in Russia in March 2022.
⚡️The Ministry of Digital Development has confirmed that Google has restricted the creation of new accounts for Russians
However, confirmation of authorization via SMS for previously created accounts still works.
— ☦️Jacob🇷🇺Charite☦️ Иагов (@jaccocharite) September 26, 2024
After that, Russian phone companies noticed fewer SMS messages from Google and Russia’s digital ministry warned that Google’s two-factor authentication might not work and that they have been advised to make copies of important data, use alternative authentication methods and consider Russian-made platforms to complete digital tasks. Early in August, Google said it would shut down AdSense accounts in Russia and has already blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels.
Also, read| WhatsApp, YouTube May Confront Ban In Russia
Wow… Google closed every Russian AdSense Account and demonetized every Russian YouTube channel without notice. Channels are still up but nobody can make money in any way through YouTube.
Sounds like if they have residency and banking in another country, they can create a new… pic.twitter.com/fJTO9wx7dv
— Jake Broe (@RealJakeBroe) August 17, 2024
Google has also removed 5.5 million videos from the YouTube platform which is considered Russian accounts. On the other hand, Russia blames Google for slow YouTube speeds saying they didn’t upgrade equipment, however, Google experts said that they have been thoroughly checking the speed and haven’t found any issues yet. According to the reports, Aleksei Didenko, a member of the Russian State Duma has announced that not only Google but also its Android operating system and Apple’s iOS will soon be blocked in Russia.
Also, read| Russia Warns West With Nuclear Weapons; Introduces New Rules
