YouTube to block channels linked to Russia's RT, Sputnik across Europe 

YouTube is blocking channels connected to Russian state-backed media outlets RT and Sputnik across Europe effective immediately, due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Google Europe, on its official twitter handle stated that due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately.

The statement further read “It’ll take time for our systems to fully ramp up”. 

“Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action,” the statement added.

Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately. It’ll take time for our systems to fully ramp up. Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action.

— Google Europe (@googleeurope) March 1, 2022

In the meantime, a YouTube spokesperson stated, “Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action".  

The company's actions follows that of Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc (FB.O), which on Monday said it will restrict access to television network RT and news agency Sputnik on its platforms across the European Union.

Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) has also said that it would label tweets containing contents from the Russian state-controlled media and reduce their visibility.