Russian court fines Alphabet's Google and Meta Platforms
1219 Saturday, 25 December, 2021, 00:00 A Moscow court on Friday said it was fining Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) 7.2 billion roubles ($98 million) for what it said was a repeated failure to delete content Russia deems illegal, the first revenue-based fine of its kind in Russia. Moscow has increased pressure on big tech this year in a campaign that critics characterise as an attempt by the Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet, something they say threatens individual and corporate freedom. Later on Friday, the court fined Meta Platforms 2 billion roubles ($27.15 million) on the same grounds. Russia's communication watchdog Roskomnadzor said that Facebook and Instagram failed to remove two thousand pieces that violate Russian laws whereas Google keeps 2,600 pieces of banned content. Russia has imposed small fines on foreign technology companies throughout this year, but Friday's penalties mark the first time it has exacted a percentage of companies' annual Russian turnover, greatly increasing the sum of the fine. Russia has ordered companies to delete posts promoting drug abuse and dangerous pastimes, information about homemade weapons and explosives, as well as ones by groups it designates as extremist or terrorist. Google, which has paid more than 32 million roubles in fines over content violations this year, is at odds with Moscow on a number of issues. Russia has demanded it restore access to state-backed broadcaster RT's German-language channels. read more Last week, a sanctioned Russian businessman claimed victory over Google in a court case that could see the tech giant hit with another heavy fine. Moscow has also demanded that 13 foreign and mostly U.S. technology companies, which include Google and Meta Platforms, be officially represented on Russian soil by Jan. 1 or face possible restrictions or outright bans. read more |
#Bloomberg: Macron Is Gauging Support for a Plan to Install Draghi in the Top EU Job
428Yesterday, 17:00Biden gave the green light to help Ukraine
479Yesterday, 10:30Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by US to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
475Yesterday, 10:00Patel: ''US welcomes the beginning of the process of delimitation of the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia''
303Yesterday, 09:48Secret Service prepares for if Trump is jailed for contempt in hush money case
59024.04.2024, 17:00US Senate passes $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
55524.04.2024, 16:18Statement by President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day
35924.04.2024, 14:54Rishi Sunak promises UK’s largest ever military support package for Ukraine
68423.04.2024, 10:00