October 30, (THEWILL) – A Russian court has slapped Google with fines amounting to 2 undecillion rubles (equivalent to $2.5 decillion or EUR2.3 decillion) after years of refusing to restore Russian media accounts on Google’s YouTube
The fines comes after years of legal dispute following YouTube ban on several Russian state-run media outlets in line with U.S. sanctions over their support of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The affected TV channels included Zvezda, Channel One, VGTRK (TV channels Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24, etc.), Parliament TV (TV channels Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24, etc.), Parliament TV, Moscow Media, TV-Centre, NTV, GPM Entertainment Television, Public Television of Russia, TV Channel 360, TRK Petersburg, Orthodox Television Foundation, National Sports TV Channel, Technological Company Centre, as well as IE Simonyan M.S., representing the YouTube channel of TV presenter Margarita Simonyan.
According to RBC’s sources, Google began accumulating daily penalties of 100,000 rubles in 2020 after the pro-government media outlets, Tsargrad and RIA FAN, won lawsuits against the company for blocking their YouTube channels. Those daily penalties have doubled each week, leading to the current overall fine of around 2 undecillion rubles.
Undecillion is a number equal to 1 followed by 36 zeros.
Russian lawyer, Ivan Morozov, informed state media, TASS, that Google was held responsible under Article 13.41 of the Administrative Offences Code for removing specific YouTube channels, with the court requiring Google to reinstate them.
If the fine remains unpaid for nine months, it will double each day without limit, effectively barring Google from re-entering the Russian market unless the company complies.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
