Moscow: Google Blocked list of Russian candidates recommended by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny Best positioned to defeat Kremlin-aligned politicians in parliamentary and local elections that end on Sunday.
The move comes at a time when the US tech giant is facing mounting criticism from the Russian opposition and abroad for backing demands from Russian officials who are trying to bring the Russian segment of the internet under their control.
The lists are part of Navalny’s “smart voting” strategy, which asks his supporters to vote for candidates aligned with the president. Vladimir Putindecision of united russia party In the three-day voting ending at 8:00 pm on Sunday.
Navalny’s aides – most of whom have fled the country or were arrested in June after their organizations were banned as “extremist” – said on Sunday that Google had closed the door after a request from Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor. Two Google Docs and two YouTube videos were blocked.
Google Docs and YouTube videos were not available to AFP journalists in Russia on Sunday.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
The move comes after Google and Apple removed the “smart voting” app from their stores at the start of the elections on Friday.
Sources familiar with Google and Apple’s decision told AFP the move was taken under pressure from Russian authorities, including threats to arrest local employees of the tech giant.
Russia has sought to remove the app from its stores, accusing Google and Apple of election interference ahead of the vote.
Also on Friday, the encrypted Telegram messenger – widely popular in Russia – followed suit, blocking a “smart voting” bot.
Navalny’s team swiftly created new Google Docs and YouTube videos with their list of candidates on Sunday.
“How soon will Roskomnadzor write another request and YouTube will fulfill it? Let’s see,” tweeted Navalny’s banned Anti-Corruption Foundation.
The move comes at a time when the US tech giant is facing mounting criticism from the Russian opposition and abroad for backing demands from Russian officials who are trying to bring the Russian segment of the internet under their control.
The lists are part of Navalny’s “smart voting” strategy, which asks his supporters to vote for candidates aligned with the president. Vladimir Putindecision of united russia party In the three-day voting ending at 8:00 pm on Sunday.
Navalny’s aides – most of whom have fled the country or were arrested in June after their organizations were banned as “extremist” – said on Sunday that Google had closed the door after a request from Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor. Two Google Docs and two YouTube videos were blocked.
Google Docs and YouTube videos were not available to AFP journalists in Russia on Sunday.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
The move comes after Google and Apple removed the “smart voting” app from their stores at the start of the elections on Friday.
Sources familiar with Google and Apple’s decision told AFP the move was taken under pressure from Russian authorities, including threats to arrest local employees of the tech giant.
Russia has sought to remove the app from its stores, accusing Google and Apple of election interference ahead of the vote.
Also on Friday, the encrypted Telegram messenger – widely popular in Russia – followed suit, blocking a “smart voting” bot.
Navalny’s team swiftly created new Google Docs and YouTube videos with their list of candidates on Sunday.
“How soon will Roskomnadzor write another request and YouTube will fulfill it? Let’s see,” tweeted Navalny’s banned Anti-Corruption Foundation.
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