Google Faces Hefty Fines in Russia as Tensions Escalate over Ukraine Conflict
A Moscow court has fined Google 15 million rubles for not storing personal data on Russian users and ordered it to pay a separate fine for failing to delete false information about the conflict in Ukraine. These fines contribute to the escalating tensions between Russia and the West.
In a series of fines on U.S. tech giant Google, a Moscow court has recently fined the company 15 million rubles (about $164,200) for its failure to store personal data on Russian users. This comes amid tensions between the Kremlin and the West over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This is not the first time Google has been fined for the same charges, with previous fines being imposed in August 2021 and June 2022. Furthermore, Google was also ordered to pay a 3 million ruble (about $32,800) fine in August for its failure to delete allegedly false information about the conflict in Ukraine.
However, collecting the fines will prove difficult for Russia, as Google's Russia business was effectively shut down last year after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine. The company has claimed to have filed for bankruptcy in Russia, as its bank account was seized by authorities, leaving it unable to pay staff and suppliers. It is worth noting that Russian courts have not only targeted Google but also fined Apple and the Wikimedia Foundation, which hosts Wikipedia. This crackdown on tech giants comes as Russian authorities have taken measures to stifle any criticism of their military campaign in Ukraine.
Opposition figures who have spoken out against Russia's actions have received severe punishments, with Vladimir Kara-Murza being sentenced to 25 years in prison for treason. Another example is Sasha Skochilenko, an artist and musician from St. Petersburg, who is currently on trial for spreading false information about the military by replacing supermarket price tags with protest slogans. Prosecutors have requested an eight-year prison sentence for her. The constant fines and scrutiny imposed on tech companies like Google highlight the prevailing tensions between Russia and the West over the conflict in Ukraine. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these ongoing disputes will impact the relationship between these tech giants and the Russian government.