Alphabet’s Google has reportedly restricted the creation of new accounts for Russian users, according to state news agencies citing Russia’s digital ministry on Thursday. This development follows years of mounting pressure on Google from Russian authorities, primarily due to the company’s refusal to remove content deemed illegal by Moscow and its blocking of YouTube channels belonging to Russian media and public figures since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters.
“The ministry confirms that Google has restricted the creation of new accounts,” Interfax quoted the digital ministry as stating. “Telecom operators have also recorded a significant reduction in the number of SMS messages sent by the company to Russian users.”
The ministry highlighted uncertainties surrounding the functionality of SMS confirmations for two-factor authentication, as reported by Interfax. It further advised users of Google services to create backup copies of their data and to consider alternative methods of two-factor authentication or switching to domestic platforms.
In August, Google announced the deactivation of AdSense accounts in Russia. The U.S. tech giant halted advertising services to Russian users in March 2022 and paused the monetisation of content that exploited, dismissed, or condoned Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Additionally, Google has blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels, including those linked to state-sponsored news, and has removed more than 5.5 million videos.
Recent months have seen slower speeds recorded on Google’s YouTube platform within Russia, with Russian lawmakers attributing the issue to the company’s alleged failure to upgrade its equipment—an assertion disputed by Google and technology experts.
Source: Reuters