Google has paused all ad sales in Russia in reply to the current crisis in Ukraine. In light of the extraordinary circumstances we’re pausing Google ads in Russia a Google spokesperson told. The circumstances are developing rapidly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate. It’s difficult to say what financial losses the agency will incur as a result but the movie shows how the online world has become an auxiliary battleground between Russia and the West following Russia’s incursion of Ukraine.
The pause by Google follows similar blanket bans on ads in Russia enacted by Twitter and Snap chat. Google also previously blocked Russian state media like Russia today from monetizing their websites and youtube channels using the agency ad tech. small bans and blocks like this have been accumulating over the past week, and are slowly forming something of a digital iron curtain between Russia and the west.
Regarding this news a Google spokesperson in light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia. The situation is developing rapidly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.
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The move comes after Google itself was criticized by Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor for running ads about the war in Ukraine. As reported by the wall street journal, Roskomnadzor said ads on Google’s platforms were targeting Russian viewers and aimed at creating a distorted perception of present events. Roskomnadzor said the ads spread false following information and could provoke protest.
The communications watchdog has been actively blocking any media that contradicts the official state narrative. It lately blocked access to BBC news websites for example after the UK broadcaster resurrected WWII-era shortwave radio bulletins in order to reach listeners in Russia and Ukraine.
