YouTube announced on Friday that it is instantly limiting access to channels linked to Russian state-funded media around the world, citing a guideline prohibiting content that rejects, dismisses, or trivializes well-documented violent events.
Google’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube, the world’s most popular streaming video service, said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now falls under its violent events policy, and the infringing material will be removed.
“The blocking by YouTube is nothing but a new turn of an atrocious attack on one of the fundamental principles of a democratic society – that is freedom of the press,” Sputnik said in a statement on Friday.
YouTube declined to specify which and how many channels had been blocked globally, or whether they ever would be restored.
Its policy states channels may be permanently blocked for repeated violations, a single case of severe abuse, or when they are dedicated to violating content.
