Exclusive: Google blocks RT, Sputnik from Play app store in Europe

Google logo is seen on a smartphone in front of RT and Sputnik logo in this illustration taken February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

March 1 (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google said on Tuesday that it has blocked mobile apps connected to RT and Sputnik from its Play store, in line with an earlier move to remove the Russian state publishers from its news-related features.

A number of tech companies have limited distribution and advertising tools to Russian news outlets in recent days as the European Commission readies a ban on them out of concern that they are spreading misinformation about the war in Ukraine. read more

RT Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anna Belkina said in a statement on Tuesday that technology companies that have cut her outlet’s distribution have not pointed to any evidence that it has reported falsehoods. read more

Sputnik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) said on Tuesday that RT News and Sputnik News were no longer available for download from its App Store outside Russia. read more

Reporting by Paresh Dave; Editing by Jacqueline Wong & Shri Navaratnam

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