Russia-Ukraine war: Google temporarily disables maps live traffic details in Ukraine

Alphabet Inc's Google confirmed on Sunday that it has temporarily disabled some google maps functions that provide real-time traffic details and how different crowded locations are in Ukraine. 

After checking with sources, including regional authorities, the company claimed it took the step to secure local populations in the country. 

On Saturday, the US tech giant Google blocked Russian state media outlet  RT and other Russian channels. It also suspended its ability to monetize the global content after the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. 

News agency Reuters, citing spokesman Michael Aciman reported on Sunday that the Russian official media outlet RT News and other Russian state-funded media would be unable to run advertisements on YouTube or any other Google services, including using search and Gmail to position advertising.

Aciman added that they are actively monitoring new developments and will take more action if needed. 

Google's YouTube unit stated it was "pausing a number of channels' ability to monetize on YouTube" due to "extraordinary circumstances." Several Russian channels linked to recent sanctions, such as those imposed by the European Union, were among them.

Youtube also announced that it had removed channels and videos violating its policies that involved coordinated deception. 

On Friday, Meta (previously Facebook) stated that it had blocked Russian state media's ability to run ads and monetize them on Meta's platform.

Meanwhile, the European Union announced sanctions on persons such as Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and "a central figure" of Russian propaganda. 

Globally, many countries continued to isolate Russia by imposing several sanctions against the nation. The recent talks are underway to cut Moscow off from international payment systems via fast moves. It took four days for Western leaders to declare that Russia would ultimately be subjected to immediate sanctions.
 

Also Read: FIFA punishes Russia for Ukraine invasion, FA refuses to play

Also Read: Former Miss Grand Ukraine, Anastasiia Lenna, joins fight against Russia

• Ukraine-Russia crises
• Ukraine-Russia war
• google
• map
• ukraine