Russia Fines Google an Astronomical “$20 Decillion

Russia Fines Google an Astronomical “$20 Decillion” Over YouTube Channel Bans
A Russian court has ordered Google to pay what is being described as around 2 undecillion rubles — commonly reported as roughly $20 decillion — for failing to restore several pro-Kremlin YouTube channels that were blocked.

The dispute dates back to 2020 and intensified after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when YouTube removed or restricted multiple Russian state-affiliated media outlets. Russian broadcasters, including Tsargrad and RIA FAN, sued Google under Russian law, arguing the bans were unlawful.

Because the court imposed daily penalties for non-compliance that continued to accumulate, the total ballooned into a number far exceeding global GDP. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has described the fine as “symbolic,” signaling that the goal is political pressure rather than realistic financial recovery.

Google’s Russian subsidiary filed for bankruptcy in 2022, and the company has largely scaled back operations in the country. There is no indication the tech giant plans to pay the astronomical sum.

The case highlights the growing clash between global tech platforms and national governments over content control, censorship laws, and digital sovereignty.

#Russia #Google #YouTube #TechNews #DigitalSovereignty #UkraineWar #MediaPolicy #FreeSpeechDebate #GlobalPolitics #BigTech

URL: https://pakwap.com/articles/21