YouTube blocks Russian news channels RT and Sputnik

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to the blocking of Russian news channels in Europe. It would take time for our systems to fully ramp up, and it would continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action.

It is the latest example of internet platforms blocking Russian media outlets. A number of governments in the EU requested that Meta block Sputnik andRT from their social media accounts. The two channels were banned by TikTok. The outlets were stopped from generating revenue on the platform via advertising and restricted access toUkraine itself.

Russia's invasion of its neighbor has triggered an information war between both sides, as both sides spread news reports and citizens and soldiers share frontline images and videos. European nations want platforms to do more to stop the spread of Russian misinformation. In an open letter, the leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia said that they had become accessories to Russian aggression by allowing the country space on their sites and apps.

Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately. It’ll take time for our systems to fully ramp up. Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action.

— Google Europe (@googleeurope) March 1, 2022

The letter said that the online platforms had not done enough to address the Russian government's assault on truth.

The president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the bloc would ban the Kremlin's media machine. Tools are being developed to ban toxic and harmful misinformation in Europe.

Russia has blocked or limited access to a number of US tech platforms. The rights and freedoms of Russian citizens were accused of being violated by Facebook.