Belarus to Launch Domestic YouTube Alternative with Help from Austrian Firm

Belarus is set to launch its state video hosting platform, Videobel.by, in cooperation with an Austrian telecommunication company. The platform, announced by Belarusian Deputy Head of the Administration Vladimir Pertsov, aims to provide a local alternative to YouTube and will host programs, user-generated content, and live broadcasts from Belarusian TV channels. The project was reportedly initiated in response to YouTube’s removal of Minsk’s state propaganda content. Leaked documents obtained by Cyberpartisans revealed that negotiations with the Belarusian subsidiary of A1 Telekom began in 2023. A1 Telekom, the second-largest private telecom and ICT provider in Belarus, stated its compliance with Western sanctions in a report released in August. The report highlighted challenges faced due to export sanctions but affirmed the company’s commitment to business continuity. Austria’s dealings with Russia have come under scrutiny following the Ukraine invasion, with concerns raised about Vienna’s approach to espionage. The development of Videobel.by underscores the evolving dynamics in digital media and geopolitical relations.

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