Google Fined by Russia — Again — for Failing to Remove Banned Content

Earlier this week, Google was hit with five other fines totalling RUB 14 million (roughly Rs. 1.4 crores) over the same charges.

By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 19 August 2021 17:35 IST

Google Fined by Russia — Again — for Failing to Remove Banned Content

On Thursday, the Tagansky district court slapped Google with three fines

Highlights

Google was fined RUB 6 million (roughly Rs. 60.7 lakhs) earlier
Russia routinely fines Western tech companies
Facebook has been handed fines for failing to remove illegal content

A Moscow court on Thursday again fined Google for failing to remove banned content as foreign tech giants face mounting pressure in Russia.

In recent months, Russia has been taking legal action against foreign tech companies for not deleting content banned by the authorities, including pornographic material or posts deemed extremist or condoning drugs or suicide.

On Thursday, the Tagansky district court slapped Google with three fines totalling RUB 6 million (roughly Rs. 60 lakhs) for the violation, according to the official Telegram channel of Moscow courts.

Google Fined by Russia Again for Not Removing Banned Content

Earlier this week, the US company was hit with five other fines totalling RUB 14 million (roughly Rs. 1.4 crores) over the same charges.

Last month Google was fined RUB 3 million (roughly Rs. 30 lakhs) for breaching data storage laws.

According to the RIA Novosti news agency, Google has so far been fined RUB 32.5 million (roughly Rs. 3.2 crores) in Russia.

Russian TV Channel Ends Talks With Google Over YouTube Block

It was the first time the company was penalised under the controversial law that requires the personal data of Russian users to be stored on servers within Russia.

Moscow has recently ramped up pressure on foreign tech companies, especially social networks, after accusing them early this year of not removing posts calling for minors to join protests in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Facebook has been handed fines for failing to remove illegal content, while Twitter has had its service speeds in Russia throttled.

In recent years, the Russian government has also been tightening control over the Internet under the pretext of fighting extremism and protecting minors.

But government critics have denounced official oversight of the web as a means to stifle debate and silence dissent.

It's a John Cena double-header this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, as we discuss The Suicide Squad, and later, Fast & Furious 9 (from 28:03). Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.