Google has accumulated an astronomical fine of approximately 2 undecillion rubles (around $2.5 decillion) in Russia due to its refusal to reinstate the accounts of pro-Kremlin and state-run media outlets.
This financial burden has emerged since 2020, prompted by lawsuits from pro-government outlets such as Tsargrad and RIA FAN, which resulted in daily penalties of 100,000 rubles for the blocking of their YouTube channels.
The fines have intensified, doubling every week, which has dramatically escalated the total amount owed.
Despite this staggering figure, it’s improbable that Google will ever fulfill such a payment, given the enormous size of the fine.
In total, 17 Russian television channels have launched legal actions against Google, including prominent state-owned networks like Channel One and military-affiliated Zvezda.
This situation stems from YouTube’s decision to block various Russian state-run media for their support of the invasion of Ukraine, a move that has drawn the ire of Russian authorities.
Although fines have been imposed, the Russian government has refrained from completely blocking access to YouTube, likely due to its popularity and significance.
Google’s Russian subsidiary has faced significant operational challenges, filing for bankruptcy in the summer of 2022 and being officially declared bankrupt in the fall of that year.
In response to Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict, Alphabet Inc. had earlier suspended its advertising operations in Russia, further complicating its legal and financial standing in the country.
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