Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development, assured that there are no plans to restrict access to YouTube video hosting in Russia. He described possible blocking as a “last resort”.
“We are not planning to shut down YouTube. Our priority is modern digital services that should be available to every citizen. We are monitoring the situation closely,” the minister said as part of the New Horizons federal training marathon.
At the same time, he emphasized that the main task for the future is “to have our competitive analogue”.
“We must clearly understand that when we restrict something, our users do not suffer,” the department head said.
The total amount of fines for Roskomnadzor’s allegations against YouTube has already been determined. exceeded 7 billion rubles. Alexander Khinshtein, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications warnedHe said that if Google does not make concessions and does not comply with the requirements of the Russian side, the site will be blocked. Also, Russian authorities may start slowing traffic on the site without blocking the service.
“We don’t want to hide from anyone”
According to Shadayev, Russia does not plan to close itself off to the global internet and should remain a part of it. “We don’t want to hide from anyone. On the contrary, we believe that Russia should remain a part of the global network,” he said.
At the same time, he believes that the Russian Federation should “build barriers” and prevent undue pressure on Russian users. Additionally, it’s important to learn how to “finely” filter information.
“We don’t want to go down the road [Китая]to be honest, but [из-за] “The impact of the operation and information on our country, it is clear that we need to build some obstacles when the operation starts,” he said.
The Minister also expressed confidence that the Russian company Yandex will continue its work in the country, now actively investing in new technologies and continuing to recruit specialists. “I’m sure Yandex links its future with Russia,” he said, describing reports of relocating jobs to Tel Aviv as “speculation and rumours.”
“You will not be without internet”
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sureThe country will not be without the Internet. “I assure you that these duties, which the President has now clearly formulated, [РФ Владимир Путин]they will be executed. You will not be without internet, including you, and I am with you.
Lavrov also expressed confidence that “Russian youth, Russian minds” will ensure a “normal existence” and “leading positions in all these processes” in matters related to the use of the Internet and other modern technologies.
He added that Russia and some other countries have been trying for “many years” to start a “serious and honest” conversation with the International Telecommunication Union by “putting the facts on the table” about the democratization of Internet governance. “Most of the Western countries led by the United States prevent such discussions at all costs,” he said.
According to Lavrov, the West is moving away from multipolar approaches and is on the way to establish its dominance in every field. “Of course, we, China and other self-respecting countries that do not want to do submissive errands for the West, are doing everything to ensure the security and prosperity of the key industries that provide the vital activities of states. “Being citizens, don’t trust those who have completely proven they can’t negotiate,” he said.
Source: Gazeta
