Users across Russia have reported that they cannot access YouTube after the state-owned telecoms provider warned of possible disruptions over technical issues and the platform’s “non-compliance” with local laws.
Users started reporting that they could not access YouTube on Thursday (August 8th) morning, according to Roskomsvoboda, the Russian digital rights group.
Issues with YouTube access started several days ago, when users first complained that videos on the platform wouldn’t load.
On Thursday, the website was completely unavailable in Russia, prompting speculation that it was blocked by the government.
Most users indicated that they couldn’t access YouTube on desktop computers, but others said it was not working on smartphones as well. A surge of reports of the disruption was recorded on Downdetector, an online monitoring service.
According to some reports, users could still access YouTube if they used a VPN service.
Roskomsvoboda said it was also receiving “numerous” complaints from different regions in Russia, with the problem affecting both small providers and major telecom operators. Other internet services, including Russian ones, were also experiencing disruptions, it said.
Simultaneously with YouTube, disruptions were reported as affecting websites such Avito, a major Russian classifieds portal, Russia’s largest private bank Alfa Bank, and Russian Post. It is unclear whether these disruptions are linked to YouTube’s.
Rostelecom, a state-owned telecommunications provider, warned in July that YouTube may experience disruptions due to the issues regarding Google Global Cache servers that allowed videos to be watched without delays. Google is YouTube’s parent company.
The Russian authorities also said they may slow down the platform due to its alleged non-compliance with Russian laws and the blocking of Russian state media and content creators supportive of Russian policies.
It has also been reported that Russia may seize Google Global Cache servers in Russia to pay off Google’s 10 billion roubles ($115 million) worth of “non-compliance” fines.
“Which of the aforementioned reasons is primarily responsible for YouTube's disruptions is still unknown, as the statements from authorities are contradictory and the actions of providers and relevant state bodies are non-transparent,” Roskomsvoboda said.
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