Dikhyaa Mohanty 
After blocking Russian media outlets, Google stated that it has paused all ad sales in the country in response to the ongoing Ukraine invasion. The move comes at a time when online advertising has become a key part of the information war between the Big Tech and Russia that is actively blocking any media that contradicts the official state narrative.
According to the reports, a Google spokesperson said “In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia. The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when it is appropriate.”
Google was recently criticised by Russian regulator Roskomnadzor for running ads about the war in Ukraine. Google earlier announced $15 million towards relief efforts in Ukraine. The aid includes $5 million from employee matching campaigns and $5 million in direct grants. The remaining $5 million is raised from advertising credits.
Moreover, to curb the spread of misinformation and disrupt disinformation campaigns online, Google “blocked YouTube channels connected to Russia Today and Sputnik across Europe”.
