Google has restricted the creation of new accounts for Russian users, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Digital Development.
Google has been under pressure in Russia for several years, particularly for not removing content that Moscow considers illegal, and for blocking YouTube channels of Russian media and public figures since Moscow’s war on Ukraine, according to Reuters.
“Google has restricted the creation of new accounts, and Russian telecom operators have recorded a significant decrease in the number of SMS messages sent by the company to Russian users,” the Interfax news agency quoted the Russian Ministry of Digital Development as saying.
Neither Google nor the ministry immediately responded to Reuters‘ requests for comment. The ministry mentioned that there is no confirmation that Google will continue sending text messages to confirm accounts for two-factor authentication, according to Interfax. The ministry added, “We recommend that all users of Google services create backups of their data and consider using alternative methods for two-factor authentication or local platforms.”
Last August, Google announced the disabling of AdSense accounts in Russia and stopped displaying ads to users in Russia since March 2022. The company also ceased profiting from content that exploits, denies, or condones the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Additionally, Google banned more than a thousand YouTube channels, including state-supported news outlets, and removed over 5 million videos.
The speed of YouTube’s service in Russia has slowed in recent months. Russian lawmakers have attributed this to Google’s inability to update its equipment, a claim disputed by both the company and technology experts.
More tech new click here
