Putin Accuses Google of Political Bias

Putin Accuses Google of Political Bias

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced Google as a pawn utilized by the US government to advance political objectives. Addressing Russians during his annual phone-in, Putin attributed the disrupted service on YouTube, a video hosting platform, to the company’s alleged underinvestment and failure to abide by Russian laws.

Moscow’s Reluctance to Block YouTube

Despite blocking social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, the Kremlin has refrained from banning YouTube, which is immensely popular in Russia with approximately 50 million daily users. Critics, however, speculate that authorities are deliberately hindering YouTube access to suppress critical content.

Putin’s Defense and Countermeasures

Putin rejected these allegations, maintaining that Google’s own actions, such as reducing spending and equipment supplies in Russia, have precipitated these issues. He further emphasized the need for Google to adhere to Russian laws and refrain from political exploitation of the internet. Putin also cited growing competition from domestic platforms like VK Video, RuTube, and Telegram.

YouTube’s Response and Content Removal

Google has not yet responded to the accusations, while YouTube has acknowledged accessibility issues that are not attributable to internal actions or technical malfunctions. Notably, YouTube has proactively blocked over 1,000 channels and 5.5 million videos since the conflict in Ukraine erupted, including state-sponsored content.

Kremlin’s Legal Offensive Against Google

The Russian government has initiated substantial legal proceedings against Google, hoping to compel a shift in the company’s stance. This move suggests that the Kremlin is escalating pressure on the tech giant to conform to its regulatory demands.