According to news from Russia's digital ministry, alphabet's Google has imposed new restrictions on Russian users: creating new accounts is prohibited. The news comes years after pressure from Moscow has been mounting, where Google has been denounced for not taking down content banned by the Russian government.
The search engine giant is also recently in trouble for suspending several YouTube channels linked to Russian media and public figures in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Google Sanctions Against Russian Users
Google has taken a new account creation measure as part of its spectrum of actions launched against the backdrop of the heightening of Russia's geopolitical crisis over its policies toward Ukraine.
Without Google saying anything about the latest development, the ministry said that the SMS confirmations used in two-factor authentication might be disrupted for users.
This means there is a chance of disruption to the functionality of accounts already in existence.
As per Reuters, the ministry advised its users to take backup copies of their data and seek other means of accomplishing two-factor authentication or change to domestic applications so that they would not lose either access to their accounts or the services.
Long-running Feud between Google and Russia
This is not the first time Google has faced criticism; however, it's certainly not been long in being exposed to criticism from the Russian side for several years. Indeed, after the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian state has barely stopped demanding Google remove content and block channels that make a case for the narrative of the state.
The most drastic response came from Google: it suspended its AdSense accounts in Russia and blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels, of which most are state-sponsored media channels.
The policy change that marked a significant shift for Google was when it opted to stop serving ads to Russian users. Furthermore, Google's decision to halt content monetization, deemed to either condone or exploit Russia's war on Ukraine, demonstrated a policy change.
By limiting access to its services, Google has contributed to the deepening digital divide between Russian and Western platforms.
Russian Users Facing Slowdowns and Service Interruptions
Recent months have seen complaints from Russian users of significantly slower access to Google's YouTube, still, the resource most widely employed in the country.
Russian lawmakers have accused Google of slowdowns because the company has refused to upgrade its equipment and pointed to the high speed of access to local content as a confirmation of claims about its reluctance to upgrade its equipment.
Anyhow, YouTube is one of the most important sources of information for many Russians, so further restrictions on this platform could be a devastating blow to access to global content.
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Exploring Alternatives for Russian Users
In trying to pass on stricter policies, Google is nudging Russian users toward alternatives for video and social networks.
The growing divide in the digital landscape is forcing Russia to adopt homegrown alternatives that do not have to depend on Western tech companies. Still, future repercussions from this shift are unknown as global players like Google tie the user's link with the leading internet ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Russians should act on ways to protect their data better and, when prompted, be ready to use alternative authentication modes to gain further access to their current Google accounts.
Future developments are as fluid as they are; further steps may be imposed depending on the outcome of the ongoing geopolitical struggle.
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