YouTube Joins Twitter in Restricting Russian Content... Blocking Ad Revenue

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, pressure on Google from English-speaking countries has been intensifying. This is based on the assessment that sanctioning pro-Russian YouTube channels or blocking their ad revenue severs commercial ties, potentially damaging their external image. Amid Google's deepening concerns, YouTube on the 26th (local time) banned Russia's state-run media RT and other Russian channels from receiving advertising revenue on their videos.

According to foreign media including Bloomberg on the 27th, Google has faced pressure from English-speaking countries to sanction channels that distribute pro-Russian content following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. YouTube has long been recognized as a popular platform among Russian government critics and state media, securing influence and serving as a means to convey political messages.

In response, English-speaking countries began selecting pro-Russian YouTube channels for sanctions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU) sanctioned Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian TV and radio journalist. Solovyov has over 1.14 million subscribers. When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, he conducted a live broadcast that garnered over 2.7 million views within the first nine hours after it began.

In this context, YouTube has prohibited Russia's state-run media RT and other Russian channels from receiving advertising revenue on their videos. According to foreign reports, YouTube defined Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "special situation" and stated, "We have suspended the ability of Russian channels, including those recently sanctioned by the European Union (EU), to monetize on YouTube."

YouTube spokesperson Pashad Shadlu explained, "Videos from these (Russian) channels will also see reduced recommendations," adding, "Some channels, including RT, will no longer be accessible in Ukraine at the request of the Ukrainian government." However, YouTube declined to disclose the names of other Russian channels subject to these restrictions.

Meanwhile, the previous day, Twitter announced a temporary suspension of advertisements related to Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, Twitter explained that it would limit recommendations of accounts related to Russia and Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.