Roskomnadzor banned speeding up loading of banned sites in Russia

According to the notice, operators must opt ​​out of using such technologies to ensure they can “immediately restrict access to the information or information resources in question.”

In August, operators began using workarounds to overcome YouTube’s slowdown, which they attribute to the watchdog’s bulletin.

At the same time, the letter from Roskomnadzor does not mention YouTube and the date of its dispatch is not indicated. The document obliged providers to provide information on the measures taken to the GRFC by 2 September 2024.

Rosteleset director Oleg Grishchenko says that operators have no influence on the operation of technical means of combating threats (TSPU). The equipment is not physically under their control. However, the department’s letter does not yet explain the legal basis for changes in the speed of access to YouTube.

According to a senior manager of one of the telecom operators, the companies will formally inform Roskomnadzor that measures have been taken and that they are not throttling YouTube. Those who evaded the slowdown are unlikely to admit such actions.

• On July 12, Rostelecom warned that YouTube would slow down because Google’s equipment had not been updated for the past two years. At the same time, the tech giant was quick to declare that it has nothing to do with the problems in the operation of video hosting in the Russian Federation.
• In late July, State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein admitted that slowing down the service was a deliberate move to “bring YouTube to its senses.”