A Russian court has ruled that Google must pay an astonishing USD 20 decillion (equal to 1 followed by 33 zeros) in fines for blocking Russian media channels on YouTube, stemming from a lengthy legal battle that began after the ultra-nationalist Tsargrad channel was banned in 2020 due to US sanctions against its owner.
This unprecedented ruling highlights the growing tensions between the Russian government and major tech companies over content moderation policies.
The fines are based on a daily penalty of 100,000 rubles (approximately USD 1,025), which doubles every week, resulting in a rapidly escalating total that has shocked legal experts. The bizarre nature of the fine underscores the court’s determination to hold Google accountable for removing content that it deems politically motivated, particularly after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In total, 17 media channels, including Zvezda, owned by Putin’s Ministry of Defense, are now part of this ongoing lawsuit against the tech giant.
Legal experts warn that the cumulative fines may soon exceed Google’s market value, as they compound at an extraordinary rate.
Roman Yankovsky, an expert at the HSE Institute of Education, explained that within a year, the claim could surpass a googol, a figure represented by the digit 1 followed by one hundred zeroes. This raises significant concerns about the implications for Google’s operations and its relationship with the Russian government.
Google has largely ceased its operations in Russia since 2022, effectively pulling out of the country after authorities seized its bank accounts and rendered the subsidiary effectively bankrupt.
The company had over 200 employees in Russia, many of whom were relocated, while others were laid off. This withdrawal limits Google’s ability to comply with the court’s ruling and raises questions about the feasibility of recovering such exorbitant fines.
The situation has broader implications for content moderation policies on international platforms. Analysts suggest that this ruling aims to influence how tech companies manage content that may be politically sensitive or contrary to the Russian government’s stance.
As a result, Google may impose stricter limitations on Russian companies that advertise on its services, potentially reducing access to its platforms for Russian users.
Despite the magnitude of the fines, experts believe Google will resist paying, given its diminished presence in the Russian market. The company has indicated that it does not expect these ongoing legal issues to have a material adverse effect on its global operations.