Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Google Removes Thousands of YouTube Channels with Russia, China Links
Imagine YouTube is like a giant TV station, and sometimes people try to trick viewers with fake news or ads.
Google, who owns YouTube, is like the boss trying to stop the tricksters.
They found almost 11,000 channels that were spreading lies or propaganda, especially from China and Russia.
These channels were pretending to be real, but were actually trying to change what people think.
Google took these channels down, so people wouldn't be fooled.
They also blocked some websites from showing up in Google's news and search results.
It's like cleaning up the TV station so everyone can see the real news!
Google removed nearly 11,000 YouTube channels and accounts in Q2 2025.
Over 7,700 channels were linked to China, promoting the country and criticizing US affairs.
More than 2,000 channels were connected to Russia, sharing pro-Russia content and criticizing the West.
Google also disrupted influence operations tied to Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and others.
The takedowns spanned YouTube, Google Ads, News, and related services.
- Who
- Google took action against channels linked to state-linked actors primarily from China and Russia.
- What
- Google removed almost 11,000 YouTube channels and related accounts for spreading disinformation.
- When
- The takedowns occurred in the second quarter of 2025.
- Where
- The actions impacted YouTube and Google's broader ecosystem globally.
- Why
- To combat global disinformation campaigns and coordinated influence operations.
Governments promoting their narratives
Critics of the West and governments
Content Focus
Governments promoting their narratives
China promotes President Xi Jinping's policies.
Critics of the West and governments
Western governments are criticised by pro-Russia channels.
Azerbaijan narratives
Governments promoting their narratives
Pro-government narratives are promoted.
Critics of the West and governments
Domestic critics and Armenia are attacked.
- Total Accounts Removed
- Nearly 11,000
- Accounts linked to China
- Over 7,700
- Accounts linked to Russia
- Over 2,000
- RT channels removed
- 20
- Total accounts removed in 2025
- Over 30,000