Google blocks RT and Sputnik-related apps across Europe

California: Google has blocked mobile apps connected to Russia’s RT broadcaster and Sputnik news agency from its Play Store across Europe, Reuters reported.

The move comes after the US company blocked on Tuesday the YouTube channels linked to the news outlets across Europe in the wake of the special operation in Ukraine.

Russia-affiliated news outlets have been targeted by IT giants, like Meta, TikTok and others, since President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday the bloc’s intention to ban state-owned Russian media outlets, including RT, Sputnik and their subsidiaries, as part of new sanctions imposed on the country amid its military operation in Ukraine.