YouTube bans ads on RT and other Russian channels

YouTube is blocking state-backed Russian media outlets from advertising and earning money on the platform, as previously reported by Reuters. As Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine, YouTube told Reuters it is "blocking the ability to monetize a number of channels on YouTube, including several Russian channels affiliated with the recent sanctions."

YouTube spokesman Farshad Shadlu told Reuters that YouTube would less often recommend Russian state-run media to users. Some of these channels - including RT - will also be banned in Ukraine due to "a government request", possibly in response to Ukraine's Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's call for YouTube to block Russian propaganda on the platform. YouTube began labeling videos posted by state-run networks in 2018.

While YouTube says it is blocking RT from running ads, it's not clear which other channels have also been temporarily monetized. As Politico's chief technology correspondent Mark Scott points out on Twitter, some state-backed channels still show ads. The Verge asked YouTube for a list of the affected channels, but did not immediately respond.

Meta-owned Facebook has already moved to block ads from state-backed Russian media on its platform, while Twitter has suspended all advertising in both Ukraine and Russia to help ensure the visibility of public safety information. Have given. Russia has since restricted access to Facebook and Twitter. Although Russia hasn't blocked YouTube yet, it threatened to ban the platform altogether in September to remove the two RT channels.