YouTube has hosted content from individuals and organizations sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for supporting the Iranian regime, according to a report published by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). The research identifies numerous accounts linked to sanctioned entities that remain active on the platform, potentially creating liability under U.S. sanctions law. Following the report’s release, Google removed 63 of the identified channels.
Which sanctioned entities were identified on YouTube?
The TTP report, released by the nonprofit group Campaign for Accountability, lists several high-profile figures and organizations currently under U.S. sanctions. These include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammed Mehdi Mirbagheri, a cleric on the Assembly of Experts. The report also identified content from Babak Zanjani, a businessman sanctioned for laundering funds for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Iranian supreme leader sanctioned for his role in international attacks and support for the Assad regime.
Beyond individuals, the investigation found channels belonging to state-linked broadcasters, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which has faced U.S. sanctions for over a decade. Additionally, the report noted that Nobitex, Iran’s largest digital asset exchange, maintains a YouTube presence alongside other Iranian exchanges like Wallex, Bitpin, and Ramzinex. These entities were sanctioned for allegedly facilitating payments related to IRGC activities and sanctions evasion.
Under the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) “50% rule,” any entity owned or controlled 50 percent or more by a sanctioned individual is also subject to the same sanctions.
How do sanctions apply to digital platforms?
The TTP report argues that YouTube’s hosting of these accounts may violate U.S. law, particularly if the platform generates revenue through advertisements on these channels. Because YouTube serves as a host for content and a conduit for ad revenue, the presence of sanctioned entities creates a potential breach of OFAC regulations. TTP researchers noted that one channel even featured an advertisement for Iran’s Cultural Heritage Ministry that appeared alongside content related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection job applications.
Google spokesperson Nate Funkhouser told Wired that the company is committed to complying with trade and sanctions laws. “If we find that an account violates our policies, we take appropriate action,” Funkhouser stated. The rapid removal of 63 channels following the publication of the TTP report suggests that the platform’s enforcement mechanisms are often reactive, relying on external reports to identify policy-violating content.
What are the long-term risks for advertisers?
The primary concern for the digital advertising industry is the risk of “ad adjacency,” where brand advertisements inadvertently appear on content created by individuals flagged as national security threats. According to the TTP, until YouTube implements more rigorous screening for sanctioned entities, advertisers remain vulnerable to funding the digital operations of organizations hostile to U.S. interests.
Advertisers should regularly audit their placement reports and utilize brand safety tools to ensure their campaigns are not running on channels associated with sanctioned entities or state-sponsored propaganda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all channels linked to Iranian entities sanctioned?
No. The TTP report specifically highlights channels linked to individuals and groups already designated by the U.S. Treasury Department. Not every Iranian-based channel falls under these specific sanctions.
Why does YouTube host these accounts?
YouTube uses automated systems to monitor policy violations. The TTP report suggests that these systems often fail to cross-reference account ownership with the Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) until the issue is flagged by third-party researchers.
What action has Google taken?
In response to the TTP findings, Google removed 63 of the identified channels. The company maintains that it reviews accounts for compliance with applicable trade and sanctions laws.
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