A court in Russia has fined Google 21 billion rubles ($360 million) for not removing content concerning the military intervention of Russia in Ukraine.
The Russian court said that YouTube, a video platform owned by Google failed to block “false information” on the invasion of Ukraine, “extremist and terrorist propaganda” and content “calling on minors to participate in unauthorized demonstrations”.
The regulator, Roskomnadzor disclosed that Goole was fined after a repeat conviction for Google.
Russian authorities have added extra pressure on Western social media firms in recent years with constant fines and threats in an effort to stop criticism from the internet, the only avenue for free speech in Russia.
Google recently left the Russian market in protest against Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
Vladimir Zykov, an expert cited by Russian news agency Ria-Novosti, said the fine is the biggest ever slammed against a Western tech firm by a Russian court.
He said Russian authorities can impose on Google “as many fines as they wish, they won’t receive the money” as the firm has left the country.
In March, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s internet regulator, labeled the activities of Google and YouTube as “terrorist”, opening up the chances they would be barred in Russia, like Instagram, Twitter, and many independent media following the start of the military operation.
In Russia, speaking out against the conflict has carried stiffer penalties with those found guilty of peddling “false information” about the Russian military facing up to 15 years jail term.
