Russian Rutube app removed from Google Play

The Russian video hosting platform Rutube, often considered the Russian alternative to YouTube, is no longer available for download on Google Play in Russia, according to a statement from Rutube’s press service.

Rutube, the Russian alternative to YouTube, was created in 2006 by Oleg Volobuyev and Mikhail Paukin. It was developed as a video-sharing platform to cater specifically to Russian-speaking audiences and to provide a domestic alternative to Western video hosting services, particularly YouTube.

Rutube reported, confirming the app’s removal, characterizing it as a “funny confusion” and noting that the application can now only be installed in the United States.

The company’s representatives said that when searching for Rutube, the app store now displays VK Video and YouTube applications.

Some Smart TV users have also confirmed that the video hosting program is not functioning on their devices.

This development follows a previous incident in which Rutube disappeared from the App Store.

The removal of Rutube from major app stores could significantly impact its accessibility and user base in Russia, where it has been positioned as a domestic alternative to Western platforms.

In 2022, Russia began blocking major Western social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, citing alleged violations of Russian law and labeling Meta (Facebook’s parent company) an “extremist organization.” This crackdown was part of a broader effort to control information flow within Russia, particularly in the context of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

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