(Rightallegiance.com) – A Russian court has imposed an astronomical $20 decillion fine on Google, citing the U.S. tech giant’s decision to block multiple Russian television channels and media outlets from YouTube. This unprecedented figure, reported by Russia’s RBC news agency, has raised eyebrows globally due to its staggering nature — a 37-digit amount that would require 33 zeros to be written in full.
This enormous fine stems from Google’s blocking of 17 Russian channels on its YouTube platform following directives from Moscow. The action followed the 2022 invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with YouTube’s move being viewed by the Kremlin as an attempt to restrict Russian broadcasters. Notably, the fine is far beyond Google’s estimated market value of $2.15 trillion but still falls short of a “googol” — the company’s namesake — which stands at 100 zeros.
The inspiration behind Google’s name, originally dubbed “BackRub,” came from the mathematical term “googol.” It was rebranded in 1997 to reflect the immense scope and ambition of the internet search engine. But as Google’s influence grew globally, its policies faced scrutiny, particularly in regions with tense political climates like Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted the symbolic aspect of the fine rather than its practical enforceability. “Although it is a specific amount, I cannot even say this number; it is rather filled with symbolism,” Peskov stated to NBC News. He urged Google to reconsider its stance on Russian media, asserting, “The company should not restrict our broadcasters on their platform. This should be a reason for the Google leadership to pay attention to this and improve the situation.”
The origins of this legal battle trace back to 2020 when Google first restricted YouTube channels associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, both prominent supporters of Putin. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, YouTube expanded its bans to additional Russian channels, prompting Moscow to elevate its fines and pursue further legal action.
In response, Google’s Russian subsidiary, Google LLC, filed for bankruptcy in June 2022. By November 2023, a Moscow court officially declared the entity bankrupt, RBC reported. Amid escalating financial pressures, Google faces a daily penalty of 100,000 rubles (around $1,000) for non-compliance with the court order, which demands the restoration of the blocked channels within nine months. This daily fine reportedly doubles each week Google does not comply, with no stated cap on the maximum penalty.
Amid mounting legal troubles in Russia, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, addressed the situation in its third-quarter earnings release under a section dedicated to “Legal Matters.” Alphabet acknowledged ongoing legal challenges in Russia, stating, “We have ongoing legal matters relating to Russia. For example, civil judgments that include compounding penalties have been imposed upon us in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties.” Despite these circumstances, the company maintained confidence, adding, “We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect.”
The financial markets responded swiftly to the unfolding news. Alphabet shares dipped by 1.2% in premarket trading following the earnings report, reversing an earlier 3% gain from Wednesday’s close.