Occupation Authorities Restrict Google and Social Media in Zaporizhzhia

Russian occupation authorities reported restricting Google and blocking Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainska Pravda and UNIAN reported on July 23, 2022.

Russian-appointed official Vladimir Rogov told TASS that access to the social platforms had been blocked and Google's operation slowed at his request. He claimed the services had ignored occupation-authority warnings concerning alleged disinformation and other content. These were the official's stated justifications, not independently established findings about the platforms.

The restrictions concerned Russian-held territory, not all of Zaporizhzhia region or Ukraine. They formed part of occupation authorities' efforts to control access to information.

UNIAN also reported Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council advice to scrutinise VPN providers' reputations and avoid Russian services that could expose users' information.

Read more at Ukrainska Pravda. Supporting source: www.unian.ua.