Russia is imposing a whopping $2.5 decillion fine on Google, a number that is larger than the entire world’s economy. This staggering amount has been fined due to the removal of Russian channels on YouTube.
Back in 2022, YouTube announced that it would be blocking channels run by Russian media, such as Sputnik and RT. This ban was specifically for posting content about the Ukraine invasion by Russia. The content published violated YouTube’s policies and minimized the documented and violent events happening in the war. These channels were blocked in Europe before the block expanded globally. Although there is no exact amount of channels and videos removed, it has been estimated that over 1,000 channels and 15,000 videos were taken off the platform within ten days of the announcement.
Google has steadily accumulated a fine of 100,000 rubles every day since 2020. This came after Russian media outlets, RIA FAN and Tsagrad won their lawsuits against Google for the blocking of their channels. According to a report, this fine has doubled every week since. It has been said that 17 TV channels from Russia have filed a lawsuit against Google in their home country’s courts.
$2.5 Decillion Fined by Russia on Google: More background on this lawsuit
A court from Russia has given YouTube the ultimatum that if it does not restore the channels from the Russian broadcaster, the company will face more heavy fines. The $2.5 decillion fine would thus be doubled every day unless it is paid within nine months.
Considering the mind-boggling debt, Google LLC, a subsidiary of the company based in Russia filed for bankruptcy in 2022. During that period, the company’s assets in Russia amounted only to 3.5 billion rubles, while the debt reached over 19 billion rubles.
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