A Moscow court has fined Google LLC 4 million rubles, approximately $40,000, for failing to comply with Russian regulations on restricted content.
Restricted Access
The Tagansky District Court announced the penalty, highlighting Google's violation of Russian administrative law regarding the dissemination of prohibited information, according to Lenta.
The court found Google guilty under Part 2 of Article 13.41 of the Russian Administrative Offenses Code. This regulation requires companies to restrict access to content deemed illegal in Russia, which, in this case, Google allegedly failed to do. The specifics of the prohibited content were not disclosed in the court's announcement.
Digital Regulations
This fine is part of an ongoing series of legal challenges Google has faced in Russia. In May, the company was previously fined 4 million rubles for not limiting access to YouTube videos containing content banned in the country. This fine was one of several instances where Google has been held accountable for its content moderation practices in Russia.
Further complicating Google's situation, the company was also fined in December 2023 for publishing false information about Russia’s special operations on YouTube. This penalty underscored the Russian authorities' broader efforts to control online content and hold international tech companies accountable for adhering to local laws.
The Russian government's stringent regulations on digital content have led to increased scrutiny and fines for major tech firms operating in the country.
