Google restricts creation of new accounts in Russia

Google has restricted the ability of users in Russia to create new accounts on the platform, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Thursday, citing comments made at a press conference by representatives of Russia’s Digital Development Ministry.

“The ministry confirms that Google has limited the ability to create new accounts. Telecom operators have also observed a significant decrease in the number of SMS messages sent by the company to Russian users,” Interfax quoted the ministry as saying.

While the ministry said that the SMS verification of existing Google accounts with two-factor authentication was still working, it added that there was “no guarantee this feature will remain available.”

The ministry advised Russian users of Google services to backup their data, switch to alternative two-factor authentication methods, or to consider using domestic platforms instead.

Earlier this month, Google users in Russia reportedly encountered problems registering new accounts, with the service returning an error message when users tried to confirm a new account using a Russian phone number, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Google, which has not yet commented on the reports, owns over 40 different online services including its signature search engine, Gmail, Google Drive cloud storage, and the YouTube video hosting platform, all of which can be accessed through a single Google account.