Text taken from the Telegram channel of @Russian_OSINT
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics.
[ColonelCassad] Large-Scale YouTube Purge and Hunt for Influence Networks in Q2 2026
The Google Trust & Safety team published a new bulletin on combating coordinated influence operations for April, May, and June 2026. YouTube was the main target, but restrictions also affected Blogger, Google News, Discover, and the Google Ads advertising platform.
1. China led the way in the number of channels taken down. Google blocked 9,186 YouTube channels, 22 domains, and 2 Blogger blogs. The main topics were the foreign policy of the US and China, criticism of the 🇵ðŸ‡Philippines, and the promotion of Beijing's interests.
2. Russia ranks second. Google shut down 2,083 YouTube channels and 1 domain. The resources promoted support for the actions of 🇷🇺Russia, criticized 🇺🇦Ukraine, NATO, and the West, as well as government circles in 🇦🇲Armenia and 🇲🇩Moldova.
3. India demonstrated high activity in the domestic political sphere. 1,778 YouTube channels that promoted and criticized local political parties were removed.
4. Azerbaijan used 981 YouTube channels to promote the country's official position, criticize 🇦🇲Armenia, and domestic opponents. All of them were removed.
5. The United States was noted for the removal of 277 YouTube channels. The identified networks focused on partisan confrontation within the country, criticism of the US government, and the foreign policy of Israel.
6. Iran has lost 13 YouTube channels, 2 domains, 2 Ads accounts, and 2 Blogger blogs. The materials were aimed at supporting 🇮🇷Iran while criticizing Israel and the USA.
It's important to understand that YouTube freedom fighters in Russia ardently support such purges. For the sake of educational videos, of course.