A court in Russia has fined Google $385 million for failure to remove content that is banned in the country.
Russia’s internet watchdog Roskomnadzor has fined Google for failing to remove banned content on Google Search and YouTube.
Last month, the watchdog fined the tech giant $1.2 million. It said that due to repeated violations, the fine that would follow would be revenue-based, 10% of the company’s annual turnover, hence the $358 million fine announced this week.
In the announcement, Roskomnadzor said that the fine was imposed due to repeated failure to remove banned content on Search and Youtube, including content that discredits the military in its “special operation” in Ukraine as well as content that encourages minors to engage in acts harmful to their health and life.
Aside from the fine, YouTube and Google Search users in Russia will begin seeing a warning that the company is in violation of Russian law and will not be able to use the services as sources of information or place ads on them.
Since the start of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has imposed multiple sanctions and massive fines against Google, forcing its subsidiary in the country to file for bankruptcy.
