A leading figure within Russia’s public governance framework has weighed in on complaints about online content, highlighting concerns over how prominent platforms handle material that reaches Russian audiences. The head of a working group within the Civil Chamber of the Russian Federation focusing on misinformation, public accountability, and internet security expressed strong views about the current state of video hosting services and their impact on public discourse.
The critic described YouTube as one of the most prominent violators of Russian law in the online space. He pointed to examples where harmful content appears to be aimed at younger viewers, remarks that reflect ongoing debates about safeguarding children online. The speaker noted several past incidents in which the platform, alongside other Western online services, was implicated in attracting minors to engage in unlawful activity, warning that such incidents underscore a broader risk to youth. He framed YouTube as a growing instrument in what he described as an aggressive information campaign against Russia.
The concern extended beyond isolated posts to the platform’s broader approach to content moderation. The speaker argued that YouTube sometimes fails to remove content that can be considered subversive or dangerous, and may even seem to amplify material that could destabilize society or influence the mental well-being of young users. He emphasized that the platform’s actions, or lack thereof, run counter to regulatory requirements issued by Russian authorities, and he urged stricter compliance with national laws on content safety.
According to the official, the platform remains active in Russia as long as it serves users within the country and generates revenue from them, including families with children. In that context, he asserted that Russian law applies directly and must be observed. The argument was clear: if a platform does not remove harmful content, fails to self-regulate, and continues to promote material that could pose real risks, it should be held liable under Russia’s legal framework.
Similar concerns were echoed by the RF Commission for Demography, which oversees family and traditional values. This body recently issued an open letter to the head of the public regulator on digital services, Andrey Lipov. The document notes that in the preceding weeks numerous requests had arrived from parents and other public bodies. Parents expressed particular alarm about video recommendations that appear after content intended for younger audiences. Instances described as shocking and psychologically troubling for children were cited as especially worrisome for the parenting community.
Overall, the dialogue centers on how global platforms, including Google-owned services operating in Russia, adhere to ethical norms and Russian legal standards when distributing audiovisual content. The working group and allied commissions call for robust accountability and closer alignment with national rules aimed at preventing the spread of dangerous or destabilizing material, particularly content that targets children or could influence their behavior. The exchanges reflect a broader policy conversation about safeguarding minors online while ensuring that the rights and interests of Russian users are protected in a digitally connected environment.