Search engine Google has received an unprecedented fine of $20 octillion. Russia has imposed this staggering penalty on Google, sparking global discussion.
The fine, amounting to 34 zeros, exceeds 620 times the total GDP of the world, making it larger than the world’s total wealth. The case centres around YouTube, owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Tensions arose between Google and Moscow over news coverage of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. While Russian state-run TV channels broadcasted news about the war, YouTube did not host their content.
As a result, the Russian government banned these channels on YouTube. A case against Google emerged in a Russian court, which ultimately imposed a colossal fine of 20 octillion dollars. The court ruled that Google violated national broadcasting laws by blocking Russian government channels on its platform.
Additionally, the court-mandated Google to rebroadcast these channels. If Google fails to comply with the order within nine months, the penalty will increase daily, with fines of $1,200 per day. The case against Google began in March 2022 after YouTube announced a global ban on several Russian state-owned channels, including RT and Sputnik. Now, the verdict has been delivered.