Russian court fines Google $2 trillion for blocking Russian state-run media on YouTube for several years
On October 28, 2024, a Russian court ordered Google to pay a fine of $20 trillion (approximately 300 billion yen) for continuing to block access to Russian state-run media on YouTube.
Russian Court Wants Google to Cough Up $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Russian court fines Google $2 decillion • The Register
Google достигли ₽2 ундециллионов — РБК
https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/29/10/2024/671fd2389a794726b01d3af3
Since 2020, Google has blocked accounts of Russian state media such as Tsargrad TV and Zvezda for 'violating sanctions and trade rules.' In addition, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, YouTube blocked Russian state media YouTube channels worldwide.
YouTube blocks Russian state media channels worldwide - GIGAZINE
However, Tsargrad TV appealed the decision to the Moscow Arbitration Court in August 2020, requesting the cancellation of the block. In 2021, the court ordered Google to restore access to 17 state-run channels, including Tsargrad TV, and imposed a fine of $1,025 (about 157,000 yen) per day if access is not restored nine months after the effective date.
At the time of writing, Google has not paid this fine, and the court ruled that 'Google must pay a fine of $200' on October 28, 2024. The World Bank estimates the world's total GDP to be about $100 trillion, and it has been pointed out that the fine against Google this time is extraordinary.
On the other hand, it has been pointed out that it is highly unlikely that Google will pay this fine. In fact, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Google's Russian subsidiary filed for bankruptcy in May 2022 after its bank accounts were seized by Russian authorities.
Google's Russian subsidiary goes bankrupt after bank accounts are seized - GIGAZINE
In addition, Russian authorities are conducting trials in courts around the world to seize Google's entire accounts. However, most of these trials have ended in defeat for the Russian authorities, and Google's parent company, Alphabet, reported that 'We have ongoing legal matters with Russia, including civil judgments imposed against us, including multiple penalties, in connection with disputes regarding the closure of accounts involving sanctioned persons. However, we do not believe that these legal matters will have a material adverse effect' ( PDF file) .
At the time of writing, Google has not commented on the Russian court's ruling.
Related Posts:
in Web Service, Posted by log1r_ut