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Google is stopping billing on its mobile app store and play store while halting payment-based services in Russia for YouTube users. The move came amid the Western sanctions on the Russian banks that caused payment system interruption.

The recent development came following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the imposed sanctions against Russian banks. It was quickly stemmed as the West decided for an economic response to President Putin’s war in Europe.

Google also confirmed the suspension of Play billing due to Western sanctions. The company said the Russian users will experience the pausing of Google Play’s billing system in the coming days. It will stop Russian users, not to purchasing games and apps, or making subscription payments.

Google blocked Russians from its Play Store

Moreover, it will also block Russian users to conduct any in-app purchases related to digital products using Google Play. Meanwhile, they will still get free apps on the Play Store. The company added the measure took place due to recently imposed international sanctions for the developers of Google Play.

Google is committed to following and meeting all appropriate sanctions and trade observance laws. The company aims to continue monitoring the updated guidance. However, users in affected regions are stopped to make any purchases but are still able to use Google Play including downloading free apps.

The FAQ also warned Play developers that the end of the billing cycle will terminate entire existing subscriptions in sanctioned regions. The situation is quickly developing and Google is encouraging people to return to its FAQ page to get the latest information.

The Termination of Ad Sales for Russians

A YouTube spokesperson also issued a statement and confirmed the halt on payment-based services in Russia. He said the company has recently stopped all YouTube and Google ads in the Russian region.

The company is now expanding this measure as a follow-up to its entire monetization features. It includes YouTube Premium, Super Chat and Merchandise, and Channel Membership for users in Russia. The pause of payment-based YouTube services took into effect in Russia on March 9, 2022.

Meanwhile, the recent restrictions extend the earlier announced sanctions on Google’s services for users inside Russia. Google announced new measures on Friday regarding the suspension of its ad sales in the Russian region. The company didn’t entirely terminate ad sales to Russians.

The company will allow them to purchase ads offered outside Russia. However, it is still to confirm whether the banking sanctions will also enforce Google to suspend any remaining ad sales in the Russian region. The newly imposed sanctions on Russian banks are now disturbing payments on YouTube and Google Play.

Response from Microsoft, Apple, & Airbnb

Moreover, the owners of YouTube channels in Russia are still able to generate revenue from the outside country viewers. There isn’t a full cutoff so they will generate profit through paid features and ads. But it seems more critical and challenging for Russians to make and receive payments through foreign entities due to Western sanctions.

There are other tech giants including Microsoft, Apple, and Airbnb have taken similar measures in recent days. These measures include suspension in sales and other financial operations in Russia.

point to be noted that a large number of multinationals are participating in a protest against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. They have started boycotting and withdrawing from the country. Various tech platforms have also taken serious measures against Russian disinformation.

These disinformation sources include Kremlin-backed Russian state news outlets Sputnik and Russia Today as well as some news channels in India. It is important that Google has also announced Geo-blocks on YouTube channels and apps.