Big tech grapples with Russian state media, propaganda

By DAVID KLEPPER and AMANDA SEITZ
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is forcing big tech companies to decide how to handle Russian state media that spread propaganda and misinformation. Officials in the European Union say they’re moving to ban the outlets, and Google announced Tuesday that it’s blocking the YouTube channels of Russian state media in Europe. Other U.S.-owned tech companies have offered more modest changes so far: limiting the Kremlin’s reach, labeling more of its content and prohibiting Russian state media from making money off ads. The changes are a careful balancing act, meant to slow the Kremlin from pumping propaganda into social media feeds without angering Russian officials to the point that they block the platforms entirely.