The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia accused the platform "Youtube" (YouTube) that it censors content and prevents access to information at the behest of Washington, warning that it has sufficient grounds to take action against the video hosting site, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
In recent years, Russia has sharply criticized the company "Google" (Google) - owner of the platform, that it takes down channels of Russian media and public figures, does not remove content that Moscow considers illegal or undesirable, and does not properly store its data in Russia.
"We see very serious reasons to take measures against the video hosting site "YouTube," said in a statement the spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova.
"The numerous systemic violations of Russian legislation and the demonstrable disregard for the Russian audience and its interests leave the regulatory authorities of our country the right to use the appropriate legal tools," she specified.
"Lawlessness and political censorship remain the norm for the Washington-controlled YouTube administration, Zakharova added, accusing the platform's management of systematically removing Russian content in an attempt to deprive the world of Russian sources of information.
"Google" did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Russian department's statement.
Russia's criticism of the US internet company has intensified in the past two weeks, with senior lawmakers blaming it for slower download speeds on YouTube and others, including the leader of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, calling out the platform to be blocked.
Speaker of "YouTube" has already stated that the company is aware of reports that some people do not have access to the platform on the territory of Russia.
"This is not the result of technical problems on our part or actions taken by us," he said.
Today Zakharova also emphasized that in addition to the dozens of YouTube channels linked to the Russian state or public figures that have been removed from the platform, videos have also been taken down from the channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry itself.
"YouTube" has committed an act of direct censorship, hinders the free distribution and access to information, thereby violating the rights of hundreds of thousands of our subscribers," added the department's spokeswoman.