Google-owned video streaming platform, YouTube has now announced blocking Russian state-backed media outlets worldwide. While the expanded YouTube blocks on Russian state media are “effective immediately”, per an update to the policy the platform just tweeted out, it also warns it may take time for the change to take effect — writing that “we expect our systems to take time to ramp up”.
YouTube is Now Removing Content About Russia’s Invasion in Ukraine
In another new effort, YouTube states it will be carrying out Ukraine-focused enforcement of certain existing policies from its Community Guidelines — which prohibit content that denies, minimizes, or trivializes “well-documented violent events”, noting: “We are now removing content about Russia’s invasion in Ukraine that violates this policy.” Increasing the enforcement here is to respond to the fast-flowing Russian propaganda that’s being churned out to deny the actuality of reports of what’s going on inside Ukraine.
1/ Our Community Guidelines prohibit content denying, minimizing or trivializing well-documented violent events. We are now removing content about Russia’s invasion in Ukraine that violates this policy. https://t.co/TrTnOXtOTU
— YouTubeInsider (@YouTubeInsider) March 11, 2022
Furthermore, YouTube stated that since its last update on Ukraine-related actions, it has removed more than 1,000 channels and over 15,000 videos for violating several policies — including its hate speech policy, policies around misinformation, graphic content, and more.
Russian State-Backed Media Outlets Will be Cut Off from Revenue Generating Opportunities
In a further step targeting YouTube users in Russia, the platform has also confirmed that it’s extended the recent pause on YouTube (and Google) ads in the country to also cover all of the ways users could monetize on the platform — cutting off all revenue-generating opportunities. Previously YouTube had left some monetization options open to Russian users. Yesterday Google also said it’s suspending Play Store billing and YouTube payments in Russia as a result of Western sanctions targeting Russian banks.
Read more: Google Suspends Play Store and YouTube Payments in Russia
Source: TechCrunch
