A Russian court has imposed an unprecedented fine of $2 decillion on Google, based in Menlo Park, California, for blocking content on YouTube. According to Russian state news agency TASS, the 34-digit fine will double daily if left unpaid within 90 days.
To put this astronomical sum in perspective, the entire world economy is estimated at approximately $110 trillion, a mere 15-digit number.
Attorney Ivan Morozov informed TASS that “Google was subjected to administrative liability under Article 13.41 of the Administrative Offenses Code for removing channels on the YouTube platform.” The court has mandated the company to restore these channels.
Google ceased advertising to Russian users in March 2022 and suspended monetization of content that exploited, dismissed, or condoned Russia’s war in Ukraine. Since then, the company has blocked over 1,000 YouTube channels and more than 5.5 million videos, including state-sponsored news outlets.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the enormous sum is symbolic. “These demands simply demonstrate the essence of our channels’ claims against Google,” Peskov stated. “Google should not restrict our broadcasters’ activities, yet it continues to do so.”
According to the court ruling, Google will only be permitted to resume operations in Russia after complying with the court’s decision. The company has not provided immediate comment on the matter.
The Kremlin has indicated that Google should lift its block on Russian TV channels broadcasting on YouTube, suggesting that the mounting legal claims should prompt Google’s management to “take notice and rectify the situation.”
This unprecedented fine represents a significant escalation in tensions between Russia and Western technology companies amid ongoing global conflicts and information control efforts.