“The demands demonstrate the essence of our television channels’ allegations against Google,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It was previously known that the total amount of penalties imposed by the court against the US company had reached two sextillion rubles (that’s about 20 quintillion euros – a number with 34 zeros).
Dispute over bans on YouTube
The amount is not only a multiple of Google’s value, but also a multiple of the world’s annual economic output. The dispute revolves around the blocking of a number of Kremlin television channels on YouTube. A Russian court ordered the Google company Alphabet to restore the channels in 2020. For every day that Google does not comply with this requirement, the company must pay a fine of 100,000 rubles (just under 1,000 euros), with the daily penalty doubling every week.
No turn in sight
According to Peskov, the record fine should encourage Google to reverse the blocking of the channels. “This is the best the company can do,” he said. However, there is no sign of Google giving in. After the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which violated international law, YouTube blocked other Russian television channels. Moscow cannot enforce the verdict; the verdict only applies on Russian territory. Google’s Russian subsidiary was declared bankrupt shortly after the start of the war.
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Vetrova, International Relations Expert**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Vetrova! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the massive fine imposed on Google by a Russian court. This fine has exceeded the GDP of the entire world, which is astonishing. What are your immediate thoughts on this situation?
**Dr. Vetrova:** Thank you for having me. This fine, amounting to two undecillion roubles, is indeed unprecedented and highlights the ongoing tension between Russia and Western tech companies. It signifies the Kremlin’s determination to assert control over the media narrative, especially in times of conflict.
**Host:** You mentioned the media narrative. How does the blocking of Russian state media channels on platforms like YouTube play into this dynamic?
**Dr. Vetrova:** The blocking of these channels reflects a broader strategy to combat misinformation and propaganda. However, from the Russian perspective, this is viewed as censorship and an infringement on their right to free speech. The Kremlin is using this fine not only as a punitive measure but also as a way to rally domestic support by portraying Google as an outsider trying to undermine Russian sovereignty.
**Host:** Interesting point. The court imposed penalties that increase daily if Google does not comply with their order. What implications does this have for Google’s operations in Russia?
**Dr. Vetrova:** The escalating fines create an unsustainable situation for Google. With their Russian subsidiary declared bankrupt, the company faces a complex dilemma: comply with the court order while risking their global reputation or maintain their stance against what they consider censorship, thereby incurring massive fines. This reflects a broader conflict between national laws and the policies of multinational corporations.
**Host:** Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that this fine is intended to encourage Google to reverse the blocking of these channels. Do you think there’s any chance that Google will back down?
**Dr. Vetrova:** Given the current geopolitical climate, it seems unlikely that Google will yield. Following Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, they have doubled down on their ban of certain channels. This situation serves as a test case for the limits of state power over global platforms, and it’s clear that Google is strongly committed to their policies around misinformation.
**Host:** So, where do you see this situation heading in the future?
**Dr. Vetrova:** It’s hard to predict with certainty. However, we may see increased tensions between Russia and Western tech companies, potentially resulting in further retaliatory measures. This could also lead to a splintering of the internet, where nations enforce stricter controls over platforms within their borders, impacting the global flow of information.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Vetrova, for your insights on this complex issue. It certainly raises many questions about the future of free speech and the power of tech companies in international relations.
**Dr. Vetrova:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical discussion that we must continue to have as these events unfold.
