Google reviewing ads, videos linked to Myanmar’s military from YouTube

Google is moving to remove ads and videos on its YouTube platform linked to Myanmar’s military in the wake of last month’s coup. 

Reuters reported that Google is reviewing advertisements on the platform from Mytel, an Asia-based mobile phone provider partially owned by Myanmar’s military, which activists have said is helping the armed forces to fund itself.

A Google spokesperson told Reuters the tech giant is working to “help people in Myanmar access information and communicate safely” amid reports of violent detentions of protesters as well as the arrests and murders of political figures in the country.

“We have taken action against accounts on our platforms … including disabling accounts on Google services and taking down a number of YouTube channels and videos related to the Myanmar military,” said the spokesperson in a statement.

Dozens of protesters have reportedly been killed in clashes with security forces since the military’s takeover of the country. 

Activists told Reuters that the military is using such firms to generate funds as it tries to cement control over Myanmar.

“The military’s business interests help finance the brutal atrocities they are committing against the people of Myanmar,” said a representative for Justice for Myanmar.

The U.S. and other countries have sanctioned top Myanmar military figures in response to the coup, while the State Department has called on the military to release imprisoned political officials.

“We continue to call on the Burmese military leadership to release them, and other detainees [from] civil society and political leaders immediately and unconditionally,” the agency said last month.