On February 28, Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League, dismissed claims that YouTube might be blocked in Russia on that date as unfounded. The denial was reported by TASS and echoed by Mizulina herself, who asserted that the circulating message was incorrect. [Citation: TASS]
She added that she intends to file a complaint with Roskomnadzor because of the spread of these false messages via Telegram. The concern centers on a wave of misleading Telegram channels that allegedly communicate statements on her behalf, sowing confusion and misinformation. [Citation: Safe Internet League communications]
Previously, the Safe Internet League disclosed that the organization had faced nine distributed denial-of-service attacks from sources in the United States and Ukraine, occurring between January 1 and January 11, 2023. The incidents were presented as attempts to undermine the League’s operations online. [Citation: Safe Internet League records]
Earlier in the year, Denis Maidanov, a former deputy in Russia’s State Duma, commented on blocking YouTube within the country. He argued that reducing reliance on foreign platforms could help accelerate the growth of domestic video hosting services. Maidanov stressed that Rutube would likely not ascend without a stronger, more advanced alternative being available. [Citation: Duma proceedings]