A Moscow court has fined Google an astronomical $20 decillion (20 followed by 33 zeros), a symbolic amount exceeding the global GDP many times over.
The fine, aimed at the tech giant’s parent company Alphabet, comes as part of a case initiated by 17 Russian media outlets and television channels that Google blocked from its YouTube platform.
The blocked channels, linked to Kremlin supporters and figures sanctioned for backing Russia's actions in Ukraine, include some previously owned by Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The unprecedented sum was calculated by doubling fines each week since Google’s initial refusal to reinstate these channels in 2020.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, acknowledged the symbolic nature of the sum, but reiterated Russia’s stance that Google should cease restricting Russian broadcasters on YouTube.
Russia’s actions also extended internationally, as courts in Turkey, Hungary, Spain, and South Africa were approached to enforce these fines, with South Africa seizing some of Google’s assets in June.
Alphabet’s recent quarterly report acknowledged ongoing legal disputes with Russia, asserting that these will likely not impact its finances significantly.
The Kremlin’s actions, however, indicate a persistent pushback against Western sanctions, even if financial enforcement on such an unprecedented fine remains improbable.
Source:
NBC News
