Roskomnadzor demands Google unblock more than 200 YouTube accounts

The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications and Information Technologies "Roskomnadzor" has asked the American company Google to unfreeze the work of more than 200 YouTube accounts related to Russia.

A source in the agency told Izvestia that the discussion is about pages of Russian media outlets, sports clubs, official bodies, and social, artistic, and political figures, who express their support for the activities of the Russian authorities.  

The Gazeta.ru website indicated that Roskomnadzor's letter included evidence confirming the blocking of more than two hundred accounts over the past four years, and the letter urgently demanded the immediate lifting of the ban.

The authority considers that these actions contradict the principles of free flow of information and freedom of expression. The authority described Google's actions as unacceptable and demanded the lifting of restrictions in order to comply with Russian legislation on freedom of publication and access to information.

On July 10, it became known that since the beginning of 2024, YouTube has blocked 83 channels of Russian public figures and Russian state media outlets that openly support the policies and actions of the Russian authorities. Since 2020, the total number of channels subject to YouTube restrictions has reached 207 channels.

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the status of YouTube in Russia, noting that the Russian authorities do not intend to restrict access to this site on its territory.