Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Could Still Block YouTube, Instagram Over Billionaire Bribery Investigation

Oleg Deripaska Sergei Savostyanov / TASS

Thirteen links to a video investigation by opposition leader Alexei Navalny into billionaire Oleg Deripaska and a senior government figure stand in the way of YouTube and Instagram being blocked in Russia.

A court injunction in Deripaska’s native region ordered the removal of several Instagram posts and YouTube videos that breach his right to privacy, in a move that threatens to see both platforms shuttered by Wednesday.

Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor blacklisted the materials following the court order.

Roskomnadzor said it removed 29 sites from its so-called blacklist after “a majority” complied with the court order and deleted their coverage of Navalny’s investigation, Interfax reported Wednesday.

“The resources that have not deleted the banned information and remain [blacklisted] (13 links) are still being monitored,” Roskomnadzor’s press office was quoted as saying.

“These resources face a deadline of late evening Feb. 14 to remove the information specified in the court decision,” it warned.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more