Banning youtube in Russia: just a matter of time. Russian authorities have been gradually restricting access to YouTube since 2022. A Russian lawmaker announced that the country would throttle YouTube loading speeds on desktop browsers by up to 70%. According to online monitoring platforms, YouTube users across Russia have reported a sharp decline in loading speeds. This move follows criticism from Russian authorities directed at YouTube for failing to restore pro-Kremlin channels. This move appears to be a precursor to a potential full-scale ban on YouTube. Russia has already established an alternative platform to youtube, called Rutube, which is subject to state control and censorship.

Runet: Russia's Quest for a Digital Iron Curtain Russia harbors ambitions of creating a sovereign internet, dubbed "Runet," isolated from the global web. This digital fortress would operate under strict Russian control, mirroring the tightly censored online environments of China and North Korea. Moscow has already constructed the foundational elements of Runet, developing homegrown alternatives to dominant Western platforms. VKontakte (VK) serves as a multifaceted social media behemoth, while Yappy and Fiesta mimic TikTok and Instagram respectively. Rutube, Odnoklassniki, and Yandex provide Russian-based alternatives to YouTube, Facebook, and Google. Beyond platform development, Russia possesses the technical prowess to sever ties with the global internet. A successful test in 2020, during which the entire country was briefly disconnected, demonstrated this capability. By controlling internet exchange points and manipulating data traffic, Russia can effectively isolate Runet. To further solidify its control over online activity, Russia has implemented bans on VPNs and Tor, tools commonly used to circumvent internet censorship. These restrictions aim to prevent citizens from accessing information and services outside of the government-controlled digital sphere. The ultimate goal of this digital isolationism is to exert unparalleled control over online content and data within its borders.

Some References: https://therecord.media/russia-slows-youtube-speeds-legislation… https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/reassessing-runet-russian-internet-isolation-and-implications-for-russian-cyber-behavior/… https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/07/30/as-russia-throttles-youtube-exiled-opposition-voices-prepare-for-total-blackout-a85845…