Russian Foreign Ministry accuses YouTube of politically motivated censorship
Zakharova claims YouTube’s actions, which include unfounded warnings and blocking videos, infringe on the rights of users and violate international obligations regarding freedom of speech.
Arbitrariness and political censorship are prevalent in the YouTube administration controlled by Washington, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. She claims that YouTube systematically censors information, beginning with the blocking of accounts from Russian media outlets and government agencies. The official channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry has received unfounded warnings, with some videos being blocked.
Zakharova emphasises that YouTube’s actions constitute direct censorship, violating the rights of subscribers by restricting the free distribution and access to information. She asserts that the United States, which oversees YouTube, has international obligations to uphold freedom of speech, and the actions taken by YouTube contradict these obligations.
Additionally, Alexander Khinshtein, head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, mentioned a potential 70% reduction in YouTube download speeds on computers, which would not affect mobile communications. Roskomnadzor later cited disrespect for Russia and numerous legal violations as reasons for actions against YouTube.
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