Decision by Google to ban Russian ads mimics moves made by other tech companies
Google will no longer host advertisements placed by Russian state media outlets amid the country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
The decision mimics a similar ban put in place Saturday by YouTube, a Google subsidiary.
“In response to the war in Ukraine, we are pausing Google monetization of Russian state-funded media across our platforms,” Google said in a statement to CNN Business on Sunday. “We’re actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary.”
The move comes as tech platforms come under fire for continuing to host Russia-linked media content in spite of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
YouTube has said that it will halt the ability to monetize content for a number of Russian channels, including those that are sponsored by the state.
Russia has reportedly been using social media to spread propaganda since the launch of its invasion, with YouTube telling CNN Business the platform has already removed thousands of videos and hundreds of channels within the past few days.
Meta, meanwhile, has announced a ban on advertisements from Russian state media and its ability to monetize them on its platform.
Russia, in response to the ban, has begun to “partially restrict” access to Facebook within the country, calling the restrictions unlawful censorship and that the company had “violated the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.”
Meta responded to the allegations with its own claims that Russia had ordered it to stop independently fact checking and labeling four separate Russian state-owned media organizations.
“We refused,” Meta global affairs president Nick Clegg said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Ordinary Russians are using our apps to express themselves and organize for action. We want them to continue to make their voices heard, share what’s happening, and organize.”
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