According to Russian news agencies, Russia’s media regulator has banned access to the Google News service, accusing it of disseminating “false” information regarding Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.
According to a statement from the country’s media regulator Roskomnadzor published by the agencies, the decision was made at the request of the Russian General Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the statement, the online news agency “gave access to various articles and materials containing incorrect information… concerning the conduct of the special military operation on Ukrainian territory.”
“Some individuals in Russia are having trouble accessing the Google News app and website,” a Google spokeswoman stated. “This is not due to any technical difficulties on our end.”
Since the beginning of Russia’s engagement in Ukraine on February 24, the Russian government has strengthened its grip over information on the internet, one of the country’s last bastions of freedom of speech.
Many Russian and international media outlets, including the BBC, have had their internet services banned, and a Moscow court has deemed the American social media platforms Facebook and Instagram “extremist.”
Twitter has also been restricted.
Roskomnadzor also accused Google and its video provider YouTube of “terrorist” acts last week, marking the first step toward a future shutdown.
Simultaneously, the authorities announced two new criminal offences in early March: one for spreading “discrediting” material about the Russian army, and another for broadcasting “false” information about Russian troops.
The latter offence, which has a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail, is of particular worry to the political opposition and independent media, which fear are being prosecuted if they report on the Ukraine offensive.
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