YouTube traffic in Russia has fallen below 20% of average values, RBC writes, citing Google statistics. Google insists the drop in traffic is not due to technical glitches or company actions, sticking to the position it outlined in August.
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“Google and YouTube are among the few remaining platforms offering access to free, independent information in Russia. We are aware of reports that some people are unable to access YouTube in Russia. This is not the result of any technical problems or actions on our part.” The company’s press service told RBC.
Complaints about a decrease in the quality of video playback on YouTube or a complete loss of access to the video service on fixed-line networks began to be received from users in early August. Even before this, Rostelecom noted a decrease in the quality of the video service, explaining this by Google’s departure from Russia and the subsequent cessation of support for its infrastructure of caching servers on Russian communication networks.
According to RBC, since December 19, there have been problems with downloading video on the networks of mobile operators MTS, MegaFon, T2 RTK Holding (T2 brand) and VimpelCom (Beeline). An RBC media market source admits that we may be talking about strengthening and even completely blocking video hosting on all devices.
Image source: RBC
President Vladimir Putin, answering a question about YouTube’s problems during a direct line, said that problems with the video hosting service in Russia were caused by problems on the side of its owner, Google, which arose, among other things, against the backdrop of Western restrictions. He also noted that Roskomnadzor has questions about the platform due to the blocking of Russian artists and political figures. According to the regulator, in July 2024, Google blocked 207 domestic resources on YouTube.
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