Roskomnadzor is working to keep YouTube video hosting in Russia within a careful balance. This stance was articulated by Andrei Lipov, the agency head, during remarks captured at the Spectr forum and reported by TASS. He noted that Russian audiences are actively using foreign video platforms, highlighting a public expectation for stable access that supports educational, cultural, and informational needs while also addressing safety and regulatory concerns.
Lipov underscored the central question as one of proportionality: will any potential restrictions on YouTube be fair and justified, and what would be the likely impact on Roskomnadzor itself if such blocking measures were introduced? His comments point to a measured approach that weighs both the benefits of openness and the responsibilities to regulate harmful or illegal content that may appear on international platforms.
When asked about the possibility of a full block on YouTube within Russia, Lipov stated that there must be a balance, and that his colleagues responsible for policy and enforcement are actively striving to keep this balance intact. The remark reflects an ongoing debate among regulators about how to reconcile user access with the enforcement of laws and digital safety standards.
On September 20, Maksut Shadayev, the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, commented that the issue of blocking YouTube video hosting and the WhatsApp messenger is not on the current government agenda. His clarification signals that no immediate regulatory action is planned, even as the topic remains a point of discussion among policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders alike.
Earlier, Roskomnadzor had, for the first time, held WhatsApp accountable for failing to delete information deemed prohibited. This development underscores the agency’s active posture in enforcing national content rules across international platforms and messaging services, signaling a broader trend toward platform responsibility for user-generated content within Russia’s regulatory framework. The episode has prompted reflections across the tech community about how cross-border services must navigate local laws while preserving user access and privacy rights, a balance that inevitably draws scrutiny from both domestic audiences and international observers.