In an astonishing ruling, a Russian court has fined tech giant Google an astronomical two undecillion roubles—equivalent to $20 trillion in USD—for limiting access to 17 Russian state media channels on its platform, YouTube. This fine is not only greater than Google's entire market valuation of approximately $2 trillion but also surpasses the world's total GDP estimated at $110 trillion by the International Monetary Fund. The staggering penalty escalates daily if unpaid, as confirmed by Russian state news agency, Tass. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the incredibility of the fine's amount while urging Google to take notice. This action is part of ongoing tensions between Russia and Western tech companies, with Google's previous fines and sanctions reflecting a larger strategy by Moscow to combat media restrictions and promote its narratives amidst an environment with minimal press freedom.
Russia Imposes Historic Fine on Google for Content Restrictions
Russia Imposes Historic Fine on Google for Content Restrictions
A Russian court has levied an unprecedented fine on Google over media content limitations.
The fine has reached such a gargantuan level because - state news agency Tass says - it doubles every day it is not paid. According to Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he "cannot even pronounce this number" but urged "Google management to pay attention." The company has not commented publicly or responded to a BBC request for a statement.
Russia media outlet RBC reports the fine on Google relates to the restriction of content of 17 Russian media channels on YouTube. While this started in 2020, it escalated after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years later. That saw most Western companies pull out of Russia, with doing business there also tightly restricted by sanctions. Russian media outlets were also banned in Europe - prompting retaliatory measures from Moscow.
This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant. In May 2021, Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor accused Google of restricting YouTube access to Russian media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, and supporting "illegal protest activity." Then, in July 2022, Russia fined Google 21.1bn rouble (£301m) for failing to restrict access to what it called "prohibited" material about the war in Ukraine and other content. There is virtually no press freedom in Russia, with independent news outlets and freedom of expression severely curtailed.
Russia media outlet RBC reports the fine on Google relates to the restriction of content of 17 Russian media channels on YouTube. While this started in 2020, it escalated after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years later. That saw most Western companies pull out of Russia, with doing business there also tightly restricted by sanctions. Russian media outlets were also banned in Europe - prompting retaliatory measures from Moscow.
This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant. In May 2021, Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor accused Google of restricting YouTube access to Russian media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, and supporting "illegal protest activity." Then, in July 2022, Russia fined Google 21.1bn rouble (£301m) for failing to restrict access to what it called "prohibited" material about the war in Ukraine and other content. There is virtually no press freedom in Russia, with independent news outlets and freedom of expression severely curtailed.
