YouTube Appears to Be Making Money Off of Sanctioned Iranians’ Accounts
Research from the Tech Transparency Project reveals that YouTube is hosting and monetizing content from channels linked to US-sanctioned Iranian entities. These channels feature advertisements from major US corporations and government agencies, raising concerns about sanctions compliance.
Why it matters
The findings suggest potential lapses in digital advertising oversight, where automated systems may inadvertently fund sanctioned groups, creating legal and ethical risks for advertisers.
Photograph: EKIN KIZILKAYA/Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story As the US war with Iran continues to roil the Middle East , new research shared exclusively with WIRED shows that YouTube is hosting and possibly profiting from dozens of channels linked to US-sanctioned groups linked to the Iranian government, including many with direct ties to the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The article reports on investigative research regarding corporate policy and sanctions compliance, presenting both the findings and Google's response.
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