Russian court fined Google more than the global GPD for blocking Kremlin-linked accounts on its platforms.
The fine of $2.5 billion, or $2.5 billion, was handed down on Tuesday. according to The Independent.
The Russian court has been doubling the fine, which originally amounted to only 100,000 rubles, every week since 2020, because Google did not pay the fine.
The fine came after two Kremlin-linked media outlets won a lawsuit against Google (GOOGLE) regarding the restrictions placed on their YouTube channel.
Google also banned other Russian media outlets that supported Russia’s actions during the war in Ukraine, adding to the fines, The Independent said.
The tech giant has been scaling back its operations in Russia for a few years now, blocking the creation of new Russian accounts and limiting the ability of Russian nationals to make money through YouTube advertising.
