YouTube says it removed about 11,000 channels ‘tied' to China, Russia government
YouTube
has removed nearly 11,000 channels and other accounts in the second quarter of this year due to their involvement in state-linked propaganda campaigns, primarily originating from China and
Russia
, a report has said. Notably,
removed over 23,000 accounts in the first quarter.
As per CNBC, the takedown included over 7,700 YouTube channels linked to China. These campaigns primarily disseminated content in Chinese and English, promoting China, supporting President Xi Jinping, and commenting on US foreign affairs.
The report further states that along with Chinese state-related videos, it removed over 2,000 channels that were tied to Russia. Their content, published in multiple languages, expressed support for Russia and engaged with topics concerning Ukraine, NATO and Western nations.
These account removals are part of the efforts by Google's Threat Analysis Group to counter global disinformation campaigns and 'coordinated influence' operations, the report highlighted.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
Google also removed influence campaigns linked to multiple countries
Google's second-quarter report also detailed the removal of influence campaigns linked to Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Romania, and Ghana, which were found to be targeting political rivals. Some of these campaigns focused on escalating geopolitical conflicts, including narratives from both sides of the Israel-Palestine War, the report added.
'The findings from the most recent update are in line with our expectations of this regular and ongoing work,' a YouTube spokesperson was quoted as saying.
In the first quarter, Google removed over 23,000 accounts. Meanwhile,
Meta
announced last week that it had removed approximately 10 million profiles impersonating large content producers during the first half of 2025, as part of its own initiative to combat 'spammy content.'
This action follows Google's removal in May of 20 YouTube channels, 4 Ads accounts, and 1 Blogger blog connected to RT, the Russian state-controlled media outlet. RT has been accused of compensating prominent conservative influencers for social media content in anticipation of the 2024 election.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
How China's BYD is operating by remote control to overcome obstacles in India
How China's BYD is operating by remote control to overcome obstacles in India Alisha Sachdev Bloomberg Jul 28, 2025, 14:04 IST IST Visa hurdles for top BYD management, investment roadblocks from the India government notwithstanding, the Chinese carmaker has proved popular with Indian drivers — sales in the first half of this year are nearly touching the total units sold in 2024 China's BYD is forging ahead with its attempts to expand in India despite roadblocks from the government that are preventing the electric vehicle maker from conducting key business dealings there. Like most Chinese companies, BYD has been unable to obtain visas for executives after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in 2020 sparked a major deterioration in political ties. That's seen the EV giant resort to holding board meetings and high-level business interactions in Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kathmandu in Nepal, and even as far away as Singapore, according to people familiar with the matter.
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
Google introduces AI Skill Academy in India
New Delhi: Tech giant Google on Monday said that it has launched the Google News Initiative (GNI) AI Skills Academy, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) here. According to the company, the new initiative is aimed at equipping Indian newsrooms with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in an AI-powered future. "Continuing our commitment to collaborate with news organisations across India and bring them Google's best-in-class technology, we're excited to announce the launch of the Google News Initiative AI Skills Academy in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Department of New Media," the tech giant said in a statement. This will be a 10-week, hybrid training series, which is designed to equip newsrooms and media educators with foundational AI understanding and practical skills. Participants will learn to leverage Google's AI tools like NotebookLM, Gemini, AI Studio and Pinpoint to streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and free up valuable time for deeper and more creative research and in-depth, diverse storytelling. Launched by Google in an academic partnership with IIMC and with training support from How India Lives, this hybrid programme will empower participants to apply AI tools across a range of relevant use-cases. The programme will offer weekly deep dives, practical exercises, dedicated mentoring, and problem-solving sessions. This programme has been curated to provide participants with support to leverage AI to perform newsroom tasks more efficiently. "We're also proud to support IIMC in training media educators and students across its campuses in six cities in India," Google stated. This collaboration is a major step towards empowering media professionals and media educators with essential AI skills. "As AI transforms journalism, this initiative will help them stay ahead. We intend to promote responsible innovation and enhance creativity in storytelling. IIMC is happy to be part of this initiative that will also help train students across our six campuses', said Nimish Rustagi, Registrar, Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
Mint
21 minutes ago
- Mint
Is this the future of app-building? Google Opal lets you go from idea to web app instantly
Google has rolled out a new experiment called Opal, an AI-driven tool for anyone interested in building web applications with plain language instructions. Currently in testing for US users through Google Labs, Opal is Google's latest move to make the process of app creation available to people of all skill levels. Unlike traditional coding, which usually demands a working knowledge of at least one programming language, Opal lets users start by typing a simple description of the app they want. The system processes these instructions and produces a functional web app, giving the user a visual overview of how information moves through the app from start to finish. The interface here is clean and easy to follow. Users see steps and outcomes in a way that removes much of the confusion typical of normal code editors. Once an app is created, the editing does not have to stop. Opal offers a set of tools in its editor that let users update their prompts, add steps, or try out different logical flows right in the visual workspace. There is no need to write or rework blocks of code. The changes update the app in real time and quickly show the results in the development panel. For those who want to work with something already made, Opal includes a gallery of existing apps. Users can open these, study how they work, and remix them to make something new. This approach encourages sharing and keeps the process moving in a creative direction. After an app is ready, Opal makes it easy to publish and share. Users get a public link that others with Google accounts can use to test, give feedback, or use the app themselves. The sharing function works well for teams, classrooms, or anyone looking to build and distribute small, practical web tools. One of Opal's main strengths is that it takes away the fears people often have about coding. The visual display and direct use of language are there to help those unfamiliar with programming take their ideas from thought to working tool without any intimidating obstacles. At the same time, experienced users can focus more on the actual logic and design of the app rather than getting stuck with technical setbacks. Many companies have recently invested in similar tools to lower the barriers to app creation for everyday users. Google Opal now joins other platforms, like those from Canva and Figma, that focus on direct, prompt-based and visual workflows. These tools all try to include more people in the tech space, making new app ideas possible for those with little or no coding history.
