Russia Imposes Astronomical Fine on Google Over YouTube Channel Blocks

Russia has imposed an astronomical fine on Google, reportedly amounting to 2 undecillion rubles, which is an unfathomable sum that translates to approximately $20 decillion—equivalent to $20 billion trillion trillion. This staggering figure dwarfs the global economy, which the International Monetary Fund estimates at around $110 trillion. In contrast, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has a market valuation of about $2 trillion.

Background of the Fine

The fine stems from Google’s refusal to pay penalties associated with its decision to block several pro-Russian channels on YouTube, a move that has been ongoing since 2022. According to reports from Russian state media outlet TASS, a court in Russia had previously ordered Google to restore access to the blocked channels or face escalating financial penalties, which reportedly double every week.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the surreal nature of the penalty, admitting he “can’t even pronounce this figure right.” He described the fine as “filled with symbolism,” insisting that Google should not limit the activities of Russian broadcasters on its platform.

Google’s Response

In a recent earnings call, Google addressed ongoing legal issues regarding its operations in Russia, mentioning “civil judgments that include compounding penalties” related to account terminations, including those linked to sanctioned entities. The company expressed its belief that these legal matters will not significantly impact its earnings.

Despite curtailing operations in Russia following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Google has maintained the availability of several services, including Search and YouTube. In the aftermath of the invasion, Google’s Russian subsidiary filed for bankruptcy and halted most commercial operations after the government seized control of its bank accounts.

CNN has reached out to Google for further comments regarding the fines and the ongoing legal situation in Russia.