In light of the current scenario, the commission stated that there was an agreement to adjust and update the platforms’ policies.

According to EU industry head Thierry Breton, Alphabet and its YouTube business should prohibit users from spreading war propaganda as part of measures to combat disinformation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Google, owned by Alphabet, banned Russia’s state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from collecting money for adverts on their websites, apps, and YouTube videos on Saturday, in a move reminiscent of Facebook’s response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Breton suggested the businesses should go further in a video chat with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.

“War propaganda is not covered by freedom of expression. For far too long, algorithms have magnified content from Russia Today and other Russian state media and offered it as recommended content’ to people who had never asked for it “After the video chat, Breton issued a statement.

“War propaganda should never be suggested content, and it should not be allowed on any online platforms. I expect the tech industry to take immediate and effective steps to combat misinformation “he stated

Breton believes that the firms’ user agreements should be broadened to include war propaganda, allowing them the authority to ban violators from their platforms.

In light of the current scenario, the commission stated that there was an agreement to adjust and update the platforms’ policies. Vera Jourova, Vice President of the European Commission, also took part in the video call.

“I anticipate that YouTube and Google will increase their efforts to combat Russian war propaganda. Because Russia has weaponized information, platforms cannot be used to spread its war propaganda “In a statement, she stated.

Google stated that it had taken “extraordinary steps” to combat disinformation in Ukraine.

“As we told the Commissioners,” a Google spokeswoman added, “our teams are continuing to monitor the issue around the clock and are ready to take further action.”

However, because defining what constitutes propaganda can be difficult, banning accounts that promote war propaganda could be challenging.