Google has been fined over 2 undecillion rubles, equivalent to around $2.5 decillion for refusing to restore accounts belonging to pro-Kremlin and Russian state-run media outlets.
This fine, reported by the Russian news outlet RBC, is due to Google’s refusal to restore accounts associated with pro-Kremlin and Russian state-run media channels, which the company blocked from its platform starting in 2020.
The penalties, which have accumulated daily since 2020, stem from ongoing legal cases brought by Russian media groups such as Tsargrad and RIA FAN, who claim that Google’s restrictions violated their rights to publish content.
Initially fined hundreds of thousands of rubles per day, the penalties have reportedly doubled each week, leading to this astronomical sum of 2 undecillion rubles—a figure followed by 36 zeros. Notably, this amount exceeds even the valuation of Google.
The dispute underscores rising tensions between Western tech companies and Russian authorities. Google’s initial decision to block YouTube channels associated with Russian state media was reportedly a response to pro-invasion content related to Ukraine, an issue that has spurred multiple legal actions within Russia.
Russia has not moved to block YouTube entirely, but major state-run channels, including Channel One and military-affiliated Zvezda, have aligned in pushing for further court interventions against the tech giant.
Moscow’s actions reflect the government’s efforts to maintain control over media narratives and counter perceived Western influence on digital platforms.
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