YouTube is obstructing state-backed Russian media shops from promoting and incomes cash on the platform, as first reported by Reuters. As Russian troops proceed to invade Ukraine, YouTube advised Reuters it’s “pausing a number of channels’ ability to monetize on YouTube, including several Russian channels affiliated with recent sanctions.”

YouTube spokesperson Farshad Shadloo advised Reuters that YouTube will suggest Russian state-run media to customers much less usually. Some of those channels — together with RT — can even be restricted in Ukraine resulting from “a government request,” maybe in response to Ukraine digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for YouTube to block Russian propaganda on the platform. YouTube began labeling movies posted by state-run networks in 2018.

While YouTube says it’s barring RT from operating adverts, it stays unclear which different channels have additionally been quickly demonetized. As Politico chief know-how correspondent factors out on Twitter, some state-backed channels nonetheless seem to have adverts. The Verge requested YouTube for an inventory of affected channels however didn’t instantly hear again.

The Meta-owned Facebook has already moved to pause adverts from state-backed Russian media on its platform, whereas Twitter suspended all adverts in each Ukraine and Russia to assist make sure the visibility of public security info. Russia has since restricted entry to Facebook and Twitter. Although Russia hasn’t blocked YouTube simply but, it threatened to ban the platform completely for deleting two RT channels in September.