YouTube Slowdown in Russia: Causes and Consequences
Published: 06 August 2024, 03:54 (Europe/Moscow)
Blockades and Restrictions on YouTube in 2022
On March 11, 2022, YouTube began blocking Russian media channels, citing compliance with policies that prohibit content "denying or minimizing documented events related to violence." The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) reported that from 2020 to July 2024, over 200 channels belonging to Russian media, musicians, writers, and other public figures were blocked.
Political Reaction
- On March 14, 2022, Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, suggested that YouTube might face the same fate as Facebook and Instagram if it did not "cease its participation in the information war."
- On March 18, Roskomnadzor demanded that Google (which owns YouTube) stop the spread of threats against Russians, accusing the service of "terrorist" activities.
Technical Problems and Slowdown
In May 2023, reports emerged of YouTube traffic being slowed down in Russia. While Roskomnadzor denied involvement, disruptions continued. Sources pointed to issues with Google Global Cache equipment, which had stopped being updated after February 2022 and was failing.
Official Explanations
Authorities claimed that the slowdown was due to the degradation of Google's servers, which had not been updated for over two years. Anton Gorelkin noted that the slowdown was occurring for natural reasons, rather than as a decision by the regulator.
Expert Opinions
- Herman Klimenko and Content Review representatives believed that the problems with Google Global Cache were caused by technical issues and lack of equipment supply.
- Media lawyer Sarkis Darbinyan suggested that the slowdown could be an intentional method of blocking.
Forecasts and Prospects
In July 2024, Alexander Khinshtein warned of a possible reduction in YouTube loading speeds by up to 70% for desktop versions. He described this as a necessary measure against the platform's administration, accusing it of violating Russian legislation.
How to Bypass the Slowdown
Users are discussing various methods to bypass the slowdown, including using VPNs and specialized browsers. However, Roskomnadzor may block websites providing such information.
Conclusion
Despite official statements that the slowdown is directed at the administration of YouTube rather than its users, access to the video hosting service in Russia remains restricted.