Synopsis
In 2024, Google LLC faced multiple fines from Russian authorities for content violations, totaling 15.1 million rubles. The penalties were due to the company's failure to remove extremist content, misinformation, and other prohibited materials from its platforms, particularly YouTube.Key Takeaways
- Google LLC fined multiple times in 2024.
- Total fines reached 15.1 million rubles.
- Fines imposed for extremist content and disinformation.
- Additional penalties for VPN-related content.
- Settled a tax dispute in Italy for 326 million euros.
Moscow, Feb 21 (NationPress) The American tech giant Google LLC has faced several penalties from Russia in 2024 due to breaches of content regulations, as reported by local authorities on Friday.
In 2024, Russian courts levied fines against Google LLC on four separate occasions, totaling 15.1 million rubles (approximately 170,000 US dollars), according to Roskomnadzor, the Russian telecom regulatory body, as cited by TASS news agency.
The fines stemmed from Google's negligence in eliminating extremist content, misinformation, and materials inciting public unrest from its video-sharing platform, YouTube. Additionally, fines were imposed for content related to VPN services and other illicit materials.
On Monday, the Tagansky District Court in Moscow issued another fine of 3.8 million rubles (around 43,000 dollars) against Google. This fine was due to the company’s failure to remove disinformation about Russia's Armed Forces, calls for funding Ukraine’s military, and content promoting non-traditional sexual orientations, as reported by Roskomnadzor.
The regulatory agency highlighted that the contested content included videos instructing viewers on how to bypass restrictions on banned resources in Russia, as well as information that has been deemed illegal for distribution by Russian courts.
Earlier this week, Xinhua news agency reported that Google settled a tax dispute with Italian authorities by paying 326 million euros (approximately 339.4 million US dollars). Prosecutors in Milan had initiated an investigation into Google Ireland Limited after the Italian revenue agency found that the company had not declared its income or paid the necessary taxes from 2015 to 2019.
Following a settlement agreement, Google paid 326 million euros, which covered taxes, fines, and interest, resolving the dispute with Italian tax authorities, as stated by Milan Chief Prosecutor Marcello Viola on Wednesday.
After signing the final protocol on January 28, a request was made to dismiss the ongoing case against Google, with the investigation focusing on revenue generated from the sale of advertising space, conducted in partnership with financial police and the revenue agency.
