YouTube has blocked its access around the world to channels associated with Russian state-funded media.
YouTube spokesman Farshad Shadloo said the blocking of the Russian outlets was in line citing policy barring content that denies, minimizes, or trivializes well-documented violent events.
The world’s most used streaming video service YouTube said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now fell under its violent events policy and violating material would be removed.
YouTube declined to specify which and how many channels had been blocked globally, or whether they ever would be restored.
Its policy states channels may be permanently blocked for repeated violations, a single case of severe abuse, or when they are dedicated to violating content.
Previously, YouTube had blocked leading Russian state-backed channels RT and Sputnik across Europe.
Workers from Google have been urging YouTube to take additional punitive measures against Russian channels, accusing them of spreading false news about Ukrainian leadership and civilian deaths during the war.
Russian state media have called restrictions placed on them by distributors, which include app stores and other social media services, unjustified censorship.
According to Sputnik, the blocking by YouTube is nothing but an atrocious attack on freedom of the press.
