Putin Probes YouTube's Disrupted Speeds Amid Criticism

President Vladimir Putin is investigating slow YouTube speeds in Russia after concerns raised by cinema official Karen Shakhnazarov. While critics argue intentional disruption, Russia attributes it to Google's equipment issues. Shakhnazarov discussed the matter with Putin, emphasizing cautious handling of the platform important for independent media.

President Vladimir Putin has initiated an investigation into the slow YouTube speeds in Russia following a concern brought to his attention by Karen Shakhnazarov, the head of Mosfilm. The Kremlin announced the development on Friday amidst ongoing accusations that these disruptions are intentional to curb critical content against Putin's regime.

While Russian authorities deny any deliberate disruption, citing Google's failure to upgrade necessary equipment, technology experts and the company refute these claims. Roskomnadzor, the communications regulator, reported no changes in YouTube's service quality, despite widespread outages noted by internet monitoring services in recent months.

YouTube, a crucial platform for both the exiled Russian opposition and independent news outlets, is used by over 50 million Russians daily. Shakhnazarov, voicing concerns over slowing YouTube, met with Putin and suggested the careful handling of the platform, highlighting its importance for film content and beyond. The Kremlin notes that these issues are not a priority for most Russians.

(With inputs from agencies.)