Google was fined 11 million rubles (more than 126,000 euros) by a Russian court on Thursday. his wrong? Failure to remove “banned” content about the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
The press service of the Moscow courts clarified on its Telegram account that the American giant had been convicted following two separate complaints, filed notably by Russian telecoms police officer Roskomnadzor, for failing to remove from its platforms content considered illegal in Russia.
Google was particularly criticized for posting a video on YouTube of an alleged phone conversation between Russian soldiers and their families, in which the soldiers lamented significant human casualties among their ranks, Russian news agencies reported.
Another video posted on YouTube and classified as illegal in Russia contained calls by the Ukrainian radical group Pravy Sector to carry out attacks and acts of sabotage on Russian territory, according to the authorities.
“Terrorist” Activities
Russia promised retaliation in early April after the YouTube account of the lower house of the Russian parliament was shut down. Many pro-Kremlin media outlets and Russian officials have also been blocked there.
Russian telecoms police officer Roskomnadzor in March accused Google and YouTube of “terrorist” activities and hinted at a possible blocking of the site in Russia, as Twitter, Instagram and many independent media outlets have done since the offensive in Ukraine.
Russian authorities have strengthened the legal arsenal to control communications about the conflict, threatening those who spread “false information” about the Russian army with up to 15 years in prison.