根据Tech Transparency Project (TTP)的调查研究，YouTube正在托管并可能从至少75至84个已获利的频道中获利，这些频道与受到美国制裁的伊朗实体有关，其中包括伊斯兰革命卫队(IRGC)。这些频道展示了来自Subaru、Verizon甚至美国海关及边境保卫局等主要品牌的广告，这表明税收资金和企业资金正在支持由被封锁方营运的频道。尽管Google声称遵守制裁规定并已采取执法行动，但并未具体说明这些措施的细节。
被识别的帐号属于对国家安全构成威胁的个人和团体，例如协助规避制裁的商人Babak Zanjani、向该地区美军发出威胁的总统顾问Ali Akbar Velayati，以及被指控策划暗杀的Naji Sharifi Zindashti。此外，像Al-Mustafa International University等学术机构以及Fars News Agency等官方媒体也维持著活跃的频道。由于Google不允许广告商选择退出这些特定的频道，他们的广告继续出现在累积了数百万次观看且已营运多年的影片中。
虽然美国的制裁豁免允许科技公司为伊朗公民提供通讯平台，但严格禁止金融交易。目前尚不清楚YouTube是否正在与这些受制裁实体分享广告收益，特别是自2023年起该平台开始隐藏收益分配细节。然而，法律专家指出，提供推广活动便利并托管这些频道，仍可能违反OFAC禁止向被封锁个人提供服务的规定。
According to research by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), YouTube is hosting and potentially profiting from at least 75 to 84 monetized channels linked to US-sanctioned Iranian entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These channels display advertisements from major brands like Subaru, Verizon, and even US Customs and Border Protection, indicating that tax dollars and corporate funds are supporting channels run by blocked parties. Although Google claims to comply with sanctions and has taken enforcement actions, it has not specified the details of these measures.
The identified accounts belong to individuals and groups posing threats to national security, such as businessman Babak Zanjani, presidential adviser Ali Akbar Velayati, and Naji Sharifi Zindashti, who is accused of orchestrating assassinations. Furthermore, academic institutions like Al-Mustafa International University and state media like Fars News Agency maintain active channels. Since Google does not allow advertisers to opt out of these specific channels, their ads continue to appear on videos that accumulate millions of views over several years.
While US sanctions contain exemptions allowing tech companies to provide communication platforms for Iranian citizens, they strictly prohibit financial transactions. It remains unclear whether YouTube is actively sharing ad revenue with these sanctioned entities, especially since it began hiding revenue distribution details in 2023. Nevertheless, legal experts suggest that facilitating promotional activities and hosting these channels may still violate OFAC regulations against contributing services to blocked individuals.