Russia, Advertising Removed from Google due to Law Violations Gargiullo: "Google Might Leave the Country: Investment in Local Platforms is Essential "

New blows to major international sites. Google might be heading for exit from Russia due to severe restrictions; VPN downloads up 4.375%.

Roskomnadzor - the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Connectivity and Mass Communication - has announced 'informational and economic measures' against Google for failing to comply with Russian law. The announcement was published on the Russian supervisory authority's Telegram channel. The measures consist of informing search engine users of the company's violation of Russian law and prohibiting the dissemination of advertising by Google and its information resources.

The Roskomnadzor news agency explained that YouTube site has become 'one of the key platforms spreading falsehoods about the special military operation in Ukraine, discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation'.

Moreover, YouTube would not combat the dissemination of information by extremist organisations, such as Right Sector and the nationalist Azov Regiment (both banned in Russia). According to Roskomnadzor, more than 12,000 of these materials have not been removed from the service.

Giulio Gargiullo, expert for more than 15 years of the local digital market and author of book 'Digital Marketing in Russia', said: 'Several days ago I had already warned of the possibility, at least initially, of a possible detachment of Russia from the world wide web. Nothing of this for now, but Google could leave the Russian Federation, leaving only the Russian search engine in the country which is Yandex. I reiterate that it is crucial for companies that intend to continue selling in the country to invest in local platforms such as Ozon or Wildberries for e-commerce - the main generalist platforms where Russians buy online -, VK in primis which is the main Russian social network, and Yandex, the main Russian search engine with its wide ecosystem of services".

"After the blocking or restriction in Russia of Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Youtube and other sites not deemed to be in compliance with current Russian laws, we are going to the Russian Network, although all other sites on the web are available". As far as technical warnings to ISPs and website operators are concerned, they are still valid: at the moment, they seem to be precautions against possible cyber attacks'.

According to the website Appfigures, in the period between 24 February and 5 March alone, downloads for the 'top 10 VPNs in Russia increased by 4.375 per cent, from an average of 16,000 per day to more than 700,000 per day'.

The Roskomnadzor monitoring agency points out that since April 2020 it has reportedly identified more than 60 cases of discrimination against videos posted on the platform by Russian media and state, public and sports organisations or figures. This includes Roskomnadzor pointing to the blocking of accounts or content from Russia Today, Sputnik, the Russia 24 TV channels, Zvezda, RBC, NTV and others.

Giulio Gargiullo Digital Marketing Manager

v Pozzuoli, 7 Rome Italy

info@giuliogargiullo.com

https://www.giuliogargiullo.com/

+39 0698381363

Giulio Gargiullo is an Online Marketing Manager that for many years has worked
between Italy and Russia and at an international level with companies and
other leading facilities linked to different sectors in the domain of luxury.
He's a speaker at leading digital marketing conferences and events regarding
marketing in Russia and luxury market strategies. Giulio Gargiullo fluently
speaks Italian, Russian and English and is involved in bringing new customers
and business opportunities to companies worldwide through advanced business
activities and digital marketing. He is also responsible for building
privileged relations between business partners.

This release was published on openPR.