YouTube Faces Major Disruptions in Russia Amid Government Crackdown

Russian authorities intensify pressure on the platform, citing unaddressed technical issues as thousands of users report outages.

Massive YouTube outages have been reported across Russia, affecting thousands of users.
Authorities blame Google's failure to upgrade local servers for the disruptions, a claim Google disputes.
YouTube remains a critical platform for opposition voices after other social media sites were restricted.
Experts suggest that the disruptions may be a tactic to push users towards domestic alternatives like VK Video.
The ongoing issues highlight the broader crackdown on free expression and internet freedom in Russia.