Google Suspends All Ad Sales in Russia

The Masters of the Universe at Google have paused all ad sales in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The internet giant said the “extraordinary circumstances” of the war led to its decision after it faced criticism from the Russian government over ads “aimed at creating a distorted perception of current events.”

The Verge reports that Google has paused all ad sales in Russia as the country continues its invasion of Ukraine. A Google spokesperson told the Verge: “In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia. The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.”

Servicemen of the Russian National Guard patrol along the Red Square in Moscow, on December 30, 2019, as the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower is seen in the background. - A suspect detained for planning an attack in Saint Petersburg during New Year's festivities had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, Russia's FSB security service said on December 30. The Russian president on December 29 thanked US President Donald Trump for intelligence that helped foil the attack. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Servicemen of the Russian National Guard patrol along the Red Square in Moscow, on December 30, 2019. (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

A Google logo is seen through windows of Moscone Center in San Francisco during Google’s annual developer conference. (KIMIHIRO HOSHINO/AFP/GettyImages)

The decision comes shortly after Google received criticism from Russian government communications watchdog Roskomnadzor for running anti-Russian ads about the war in Ukraine. Roskomnadzor claimed that the ads on Google’s platforms were targeted towards Russian viewers and “aimed at creating a distorted perception of current events.” The communications watchdog accused Google of allowing the ads to spread “false political information” that could incite protests in the country.

Roskomnadzor has been blocking access to any media contradicting the official state narrative on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recently, the BBC News website was blocked after the UK broadcaster began using WWII-era radio bulletins to spread information and news to citizens in Russan and Ukraine.

Tech companies across the world have been limiting Russia’s ability to distribute state-approved news and information as the invasion of Ukraine continues. The moves come as the European Commission considers a ban on the state news agencies entirely due to fears that they are spreading misinformation about the war in Ukraine.

Breitbart News recently reported that Google blocked the mobile apps of Rusia Today and Sputnik from its Play Store. The move comes shortly after Google’s decision to remove Russian state media from its news-related features.

A number of tech giants have taken action against Russian state media, with multiple platforms banning Russian media across the EU. Facebook (including Instagram), YouTube, and TikTok have completely banned Russian media outlets like Russia Today and Sputnik throughout the European Union.

Google, which has prevented Russian state media from generating revenue on YouTube and Google, announced similar plans stating: “Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately.”

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