Putin criticises Google over US influence
YouTube faces disruption claims as Russia and Google clash.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised Alphabet’s Google, accusing it of serving US political interests. He also alleged that YouTube, owned by Google, has deliberately slowed speeds in Russia, a claim the company denies. Despite government pressure on foreign tech firms, YouTube, which reaches around 50 million Russians daily, remains operational while platforms like Twitter and Instagram have been blocked.
Critics argue that Russian authorities are disrupting YouTube to limit access to content critical of the Kremlin. Moscow counters by blaming Google for failing to upgrade its infrastructure in Russia, a claim disputed by experts and the company. Putin emphasised that Google and YouTube must adhere to Russian laws and avoid online deception to achieve political aims.
Since the conflict in Ukraine began, YouTube has removed over 5.5 million videos and blocked thousands of channels, including Russian state-sponsored media. The Kremlin hopes that ongoing legal challenges will force Google to adjust its policies.
Putin highlighted growing competition from domestic platforms such as VK Video, RuTube, and Telegram. However, these alternatives have yet to challenge YouTube’s dominance in the video-hosting market significantly.