Microsoft, the world’s largest computer operating system maker, has turned away from Russia after Facebook, Twitter and Google’s YouTube. Microsoft banned all media outlets controlled by the Russian government. In the meantime, the apps of Russia Today or ‘RT’ have already been removed from all Windows products. Sputnik’s content has also been blocked from being displayed on all Microsoft products.
In a statement, Microsoft said that Russian government-controlled media outlets would also be deranked in Microsoft’s search results. In other words, even if someone does a search, none of the content of those two media will be shown in Bing search engine. Even, if any advertisement of those two media is shown on behalf of any ad network, it will also be blocked. This rule will apply to the whole world.
Not only Microsoft, but also Meta and Google, the parent companies of the social media site Facebook, have also imposed restrictions on the two media outlets. Google has stopped downloading RT’s mobile app in Ukraine. Because, as a result of Google Ad, two media outlets controlled by the Russian government get money. This decision has been taken so that they do not get money. Russian content creators are unable to earn money from Facebook and YouTube due to the closure of Google Monetization. The service has been restricted to some Twitter users in Russia.
Meta also deleted 40 fake accounts, groups and pages from Facebook and Instagram, targeting top Ukrainian military officials, politicians and journalists, within 48 hours.
