A Russia court has imposed an unparalleled $2.5 decillion fine on Google, marking one of the highest fines ever imposed on a tech company globally. The extraordinary sum results from a protracted four-year legal battle between Russia and Google over the tech giant’s refusal to reinstate accounts linked to pro-Kremlin media outlets. The astronomical figure is far beyond the world’s total GDP, estimated at around $100 trillion
The dispute originated in 2020, when Google’s YouTube suspended the far-right Russian channel Tsargrad in adherence to U.S. sanctions. Following this, numerous Russian media outlets, including the Ministry of Defense-backed Zvezda, pursued legal action against Google, claiming censorship.
The Russian court then ordered Google to reinstate access to the blocked channels, establishing a punitive daily fine of 100,000 rubles (around $1,025), which doubles weekly as a compounded penalty until compliance is met.
Ivan Morozov, a lawyer speaking with state media agency TASS, clarified that the fines could multiply indefinitely if Google does not comply with the ruling within a nine-month period.
Morozov, further clarified that Google was fined under Russia’s Administrative Offenses Code, specifically Article 13.41, which penalizes companies for restricting access to content on their platforms. The structure of the fine, which escalates over nine months if the channels remain blocked, signals a high-stakes strategy on Russia’s part to force Google’s compliance.
Although Google ceased most operations in Russia in 2022 due to government actions that included seizing its financial assets, the tech giant now faces a theoretical financial burden that defies comprehension. Google has not yet issued a public statement on its course of action.
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