Russia fines Google US dollars
The Russian government has imposed fines on Google totaling approximately (a multi-digit number) dollars, according to reports from TASS and The Daily Telegraph. This figure far exceeds the global total (which was approximately $1 trillion in 2021, a multi-digit number).
Google was reportedly fined 100,000 rubles per day for its video platform's suspension of multiple Russian media accounts, which led to a lawsuit. Legal professionals informed TASS that if the fine is not paid within three months, the amount will double daily without a cap. Google can only return to the Russian market by complying with the court's ruling.
This figure far exceeds Google's own market value. The Daily Telegraph reported that after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Google closed its Russian branch, and its subsidiary declared bankruptcy. The Russian police had previously seized over a billion dollars' worth of assets from the bankrupt entity.
The report states that despite Russia's astronomical claim against Google, the company stated in its latest earnings report that "we do not believe that these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse impact." TASS reports that experts point out Google "obviously will not pay this fine, and the Russian Federation will not be able to recover this money from the company," as all of Google's property in Russia has already been seized or confiscated. He noted that any claims made by the Russian government are only valid domestically, and international bodies need to hold Google accountable.