In a shocking development, a Russian court has fined Google an astronomical $2.5 decillion for allegedly blocking pro-Kremlin propaganda on YouTube. This staggering amount far exceeds the total global GDP, which the International Monetary Fund estimates at around $110 trillion.
The fine is the result of four years of penalties, accumulating to a figure that doubles weekly due to Russian legal provisions. State-run news outlet RBC reported that Google faced increased scrutiny after it banned various media outlets in 2022 for their support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to additional fines.
In response to these ongoing challenges, Google has taken significant steps, including restricting new account creation for Russian users last month and deactivating AdSense accounts in Russia in August. Despite generating revenue of $306 billion last year, the company now faces unprecedented financial pressure from the Russian government.
