Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Russia fines Google $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

(BBC News) A Russian court has fined Google two undecillion roubles – a two followed by 36 zeroes – for restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube.

In dollar terms, the tech giant has been told to pay $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest companies, that is considerably more than Google’s $2.12-trillion market capitalization.

In fact, it is far greater than the world’s total GDP, which is estimated by the International Monetary Fund to be $110 trillion.

The fine has reached such a gargantuan level because – as state news agency Tass has highlighted – it is rapidly increasing all the time.

According to Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he “cannot even pronounce this number” but urged “Google management to pay attention.”

The company has not commented publicly or responded to a BBC request for a statement.

Russia media outlet RBC reports the fine on Google relates to the restriction of content of 17 Russian media channels on YouTube.

While this started in 2020, it escalated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years later.

That saw most western companies pull out of Russia, with doing business there also tightly restricted by sanctions.

Russian media outlets were also banned in Europe – prompting retaliatory measures from Moscow.

In 2022, Google’s local subsidiary was declared bankrupt and the company has stopped offering its commercial services in Russia, such as advertising.

However, its products are not completely banned in the country.

This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant.

In May, 2021, Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor accused Google of restricting YouTube access to Russian media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, and supporting “illegal protest activity.”

Then, in July, 2022, Russia fined Google 21.1 billion rouble for failing to restrict access to what it called “prohibited” material about the war in Ukraine and other content.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxvnwkl5kgo

BIG Media
BIG Media
Our focus is on facts, accurate data, and logical interpretation. Our only agenda is the truth.
spot_img

BIG Wrap

New Zealand’s capital prepares for huge Maori protests

(BBC News) Thousands of people are gathering to take the final steps in a march on New Zealand’s parliament to demonstrate against a controversial...

Ukraine gets green light to use long-range missiles from U.S. – what’s next?

(Al Jazeera Media Network) United States President Joe Biden has reportedly lifted restrictions on Kyiv on the use of long-range missiles, which means Ukrainian forces...