Google stops monetizing content that condones war in Ukraine

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New guidelines have been released by Google for digital publishers that report on the Ukraine war.

One of the guidelines stipulates pausing the monetization of content that condones, dismisses, or exploits the war, according to the communication to publishers.

“Due to the war in Ukraine, we pause monetization of content that exploits, dismisses, or condones the war. Please note, that we have already been enforcing claims related to the war in Ukraine when they violated existing policies (for instance, the Dangerous or Derogatory content policy prohibits monetizing content that incites violence or denies tragic events),” reads parts of the communication.

According to Google, this update aims to clarify its publisher guidance, amid the current war.

“This pause includes, but is not limited to, claims that imply victims are responsible for their own tragedy or similar instances of victim-blaming such as claims that Ukraine is committing genocide or deliberately attacking its own citizens,” stated the tech giant.

Google is currently migrating and consolidating its policies and restrictions to the new Publisher Policies Help Center.

As per the guidelines, “When you monetize your content with Google ad code you are required to adhere to the following policies. Failure to comply with these policies may result in Google blocking ads from appearing against your content, or suspending or terminating your account."

What content was banned?

Any content inciting hatred against, promoting discrimination of, or disparaging a person or group based on their race, religion, age, disability, nationality, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, or any other trait that is linked to systemic discrimination or marginalization, will be banned, according to Google.

“Google does not allow content that harasses, intimidates, or bullies an individual or group of individuals. This includes Singling out someone for abuse or harassment, suggesting a tragic event did not happen or that victims or their families are actors or complicit in a cover-up of the event.”

In the same context, any content promoting physical or mental harm to oneself or to others, such as advocacy for anorexia, suicide, or any other self-harm will be banned. Also, threats against other individuals or the promotion of violence against others, including content supporting, promoting, or created by terrorist groups are also included in the list of the new guidelines. Content related to drug trafficking is also included in the list.

Facebook bans Russian state media from monetizing

As the Russian army inches closer to Kiev, Facebook late in February curtailed Russian state media's ability to generate money on the social media network.

Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's Security Policy Head, tweeted that the platform is now "prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world."

1/ We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world. We also continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media. These changes have already begun rolling out and will continue into the weekend.

— Nathaniel Gleicher (@ngleicher) February 26, 2022

Russia's media regulator had previously accused Facebook of censorship and violating the rights of Russian citizens. 

Social media platforms have become one of the front lines in the crisis, providing often inaccurate information, as well as real-time monitoring of Ukraine's NATO allies moving closer to Russia's border.

Russia launched a special military operation for several reasons, including NATO's eastward expansion. Other reasons were the Ukrainian shelling of Donbass and the killing of the people of the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic, in addition to Moscow wanting to "denazify" and demilitarize Ukraine.

In response, the US and its allies have rolled out comprehensive sanctions, including restrictions on the Russian central bank, export control measures, SWIFT cutoff for select banks, and closure of airspace to all Russian flights. Many of their companies have suspended their Russian operations.