Russia has imposed a 21.1 million rubble fine on Google, which equals nearly $365 million. The Russian court has enforced a fine on Google over its failure to remove YouTube videos that goes against the country’s policies. The communications regulator of Russia, Roskomnadzor states that YouTube didn’t follow orders to remove prohibited content, which includes videos promoting extremism and terrorism, as well as supposedly false information about the war in Ukraine.
The Biggest Fine on Google by a Russian Court
According to Russia’s state-run media, the 21.1 million fine on Google is the biggest penalty imposed on a big tech company by Russian authorities. According to a statement; “Google and its information resources are regularly held administratively liable for violations of Russian law regarding the failure to remove prohibited information.”
Last year, Google faces a nearly $100 million fine in Russia over its failure to delete banned content. Later in May, Google banned all ad sales in Russia in response to the war crisis in Ukraine. According to the reports from international news media, Google also filed for bankruptcy during the same period in Russia as the government authorities seizes its assets in the country.
Read more: Google Declares Bankruptcy in Russia After Bank Account Seizures
Roskomnadzor Threatened to Block Google
Earlier in March, Roskomnadzor also threatened to ban Google from Russia over its failure to remove illegal YouTube videos. The communications watchdog has also labeled the activities of Google and YouTube with the “terrorist” label, hence, opening up the possibility of Google meeting the same fate as Twitter, Instagram, and many other social media platforms. Meanwhile, Russian authorities have increased the penalty, up to 15 years in jail, for those found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian military.
Read more: Google Suspends Play Store and YouTube Payments in Russia
