Google has suspended its news service in Russia after the country’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, threatened to fine the company and take other measures if it failed to comply with a demand to remove certain content..
The move comes amid a broader crackdown on independent media in Russia, which has seen the closure of several news outlets and the arrest of journalists. Google’s decision is a significant blow to the free flow of information in the country, and it could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech..
Roskomnadzor had demanded that Google remove content from its news service that the regulator claimed was false or defamatory. Google had refused to comply, arguing that the content was protected by freedom of speech laws..
In a statement, Google said that it was .
