Russian Parliament, the State Duma, announces YouTube can continue operating in the country.
YouTube May Resume Full Operations in Russia Under Certain Conditions
Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma's Information Policy Committee and federal coordinator of the "Digital Russia" party project, has stated that YouTube can resume full operations in Russia if it addresses its abandoned equipment, pays accumulated fines, and restores access to Russian media outlets, journalists, and bloggers' accounts that were blocked without a court order.
In an interview with RIA Novosti, Nemkin detailed the necessary prerequisites for YouTube to operate within the Russian legal framework. These include reinstating blocked Russian media, paying any outstanding fines, and establishing a legal entity in the country.
The deputy clarified that while dialogue with global digital platforms like YouTube is possible, it must take place on honest, transparent, and legal terms. Ignoring local requirements, he noted, is a dead end.
According to Nemkin, the move is not about politics but about complying with the law. He emphasized that Russia is building its own digital infrastructure, including search engines, clouds, video hosting, and advertising platforms.
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has admitted to a phased "strangling" of foreign cloud services, hinting at a growing push for digital sovereignty. This strategy aims to provide key technologies within the country, ensuring independence from global digital giants who can abruptly disrupt services.
Nemkin concluded by stating that the state must be the driving force in creating a digital ecosystem where businesses and people find it convenient, safe, and predictable. He underscored the importance of investing and stimulating demand to achieve this goal.
YouTube may need to establish a legal entity in Russia, address its abandoned equipment, pay any outstanding fines, and reinstate access to blocked Russian media, journalists, and bloggers' accounts to operate within the Russian legal framework, as stated by Anton Nemkin. Additionally, the digital platform should engage in dialogue with the Russian government on honest, transparent, and legal terms, avoiding ignoring local requirements, as this is a dead end.
