State Duma deputies sanctioned by foreign governments have faced a new hurdle: their personal accounts and YouTube channels were blocked by Google, a move confirmed by one deputy in an interview with socialbites.ca. The deputy, Yevgeny Fedorov, said his own YouTube channel had been blocked for the fourth time, illustrating a pattern of restrictions that some lawmakers view as part of a broader geopolitical stance rather than a technical issue. This interview provides a window into how Sanctions policies intersect with digital platforms and public communication in contemporary politics. (Source: socialbites.ca)
Fedorov stated that the blocking of his YouTube channel has happened multiple times and has become a recurring problem. He recalled the first ban last year and noted that the matter has triggered extensive correspondence with the prosecutor’s office. He argued that the actions by YouTube appeared to contravene Russian law and said discussions with the platform have continued for more than a year. The deputy pointed to a recent incident in which a channel was blocked immediately after reaching a milestone of 200,000 views. This sequence, he suggested, reflects a coordinated effort to curb sanctioned voices online, rather than a neutral enforcement of policy. (Source: socialbites.ca)
According to the MP, he intends to file another request with the prosecutor’s office. He indicated that the collected materials could be used to pursue a legal action against Google, framing the move as part of a broader strategy to counter sanctions through the seizure rather than the outright shutdown of digital properties. The deputy claimed that Google could be seized as a tool in the political and economic contest surrounding sanctions. He cited his prior involvement in the personal data legislation, noting that Google had previously relocated content to a Russian data center in Udomlya, in the Tver region, which he views as a potential foothold for national control. He argued that this approach would allow the seizure to occur without a total ban and suggested forming a Russian management structure to oversee the platform as a strategic asset. (Source: socialbites.ca)
Fedorov further claimed that Russia could recruit domestic experts with experience at Google who are currently working abroad to assist in the takeover. He described YouTube and Google in Russia as a networked business that could be brought under national control. He asserted that Russian specialists, including a sizable group he claimed to represent, could contribute to recreating the platform’s code base within Russian oversight. In the event that such a plan encountered obstacles, he indicated that it might be necessary to rely on in-house technical work to rebuild key services with Russian management. The deputy highlighted past collaboration with experts who participated in the development of Rutube as evidence of a readiness to replicate and adapt digital platforms under national governance. (Source: socialbites.ca)
Before the blockage of Google services, the deputy also reported the removal of personal accounts linked to Nina Ostanina as well as associated YouTube channels. Several other MPs, including Maria Butina and Mikhail Matveev, were said to have their accounts blocked as well. The episode underscores a broader tension between public officials, international tech platforms, and state policy in the information landscape. The discussion continues to unfold as lawmakers assess how sanctions influence digital infrastructure, data sovereignty, and access to information for residents and constituents. (Source: socialbites.ca)