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Big Tech and authoritarian states: Belarus

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 24/10/2026, 18:15:24 UTC.

Briefings

Global Voices interviewed Mikhail Doroshevich, a 30-year veteran of the Belarusian internet, to discuss digital repression under Alexander Lukashenka's regime. Doroshevich noted that while Belarus historically had more restricted infrastructure than Russia, it does not block Western platforms like Meta, Google, or YouTube. Instead, the government uses self-censorship and strikes to suppress content, with YouTube removing channels via a three-strikes system. OpenAI's services are also unavailable to Belarusian users. The article highlights the divergence from Russia's recent crackdowns and the role of tech companies in facilitating authoritarian propaganda.

Key points

• Mikhail Doroshevich, a 30-year veteran of the Belarusian internet, confirmed that Belarusian platforms like Meta and Google receive blocking requests but do not always comply, unlike Russia's recent aggressive shutdowns.
• YouTube removed Belarusian state media channels in April and September 2026 using a three-strikes system, with the September removal linked to ownership rather than content violations.

Context

This analysis examines how Big Tech facilitates authoritarian governance in Belarus, contrasting it with Russia's digital crackdowns. Doroshevich highlights the regime's use of self-censorship and strikes to suppress Western platforms, noting that Belarus historically had more restricted infrastructure than Russia but diverged in its digital tactics.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a 2026 Global Voices video podcast transcript and a Carnegie article reference. Specific compliance details remain unverified, and the three-strikes system's full impact is not fully quantified.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 24/10/2026, 18:17:03 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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