KONTAN.CO.ID - NEW YORK. Alphabet Inc's Google barred on Saturday (Feb 26) Russia's state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos, similar to a move by Facebook after the invasion of Ukraine. Citing "extraordinary circumstances", Google's YouTube unit said it was "pausing a number of channels’ ability to monetise on YouTube." These included several Russian channels affiliated with recent sanctions, such as those by the European Union. Ad placement is largely controlled by YouTube.
Google added later that it was also barring Russian state-funded media outlets from using its ad technology to generate revenue on their own websites and apps. Baca Juga: U.N. Security Council Plans Vote to Call General Assembly Meeting on Ukraine In addition, the Russian media will not be able to buy ads through Google Tools or place ads on Google services such as search and Gmail, spokesman Michael Aciman said. "We’re actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary," Aciman said. On Wednesday, the European Union unveiled sanctions on individuals such as Margarita Simonyan, whom it called RT's editor-in-chief and "a central figure" of Russian propaganda. Videos from affected media will also come up less often in recommendations, YouTube spokesperson Farshad Shadloo said. He added that RT and several other channels would no longer be accessible in Ukraine after a Ukrainian government request. On Saturday, Ukraine Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Twitter he contacted YouTube "to block the propagandist Russian channels — such as Russia 24, TASS, RIA Novosti". RT and Simonyan did not respond to requests for comment. YouTube declined to identify the other channels restricted. Baca Juga: Moody's Puts Russia on Junk Rating Warning, Fitch Slashes Ukraine