Russia Fines Google More Than The World's Entire GDP Over Blocked YouTube Channels
Google is facing an astronomical fine from Russia after refusing to reinstate YouTube accounts linked to Russian state and pro-government media. The penalty has ballooned to an unfathomable sum: more than two undecillion rubles — a two followed by 36 zeros that dwarfs even the entire global economy, estimated at $110 trillion by the International Monetary Fund.
To put this number into perspective, the fine is about 20 decillion dollars, or $20 billion trillion trillion. The fine, according to Russian news outlet RBC, is the total amount being demanded by 17 Russian television channels and media outlets who have been blocked from YouTube.
How did the case start?
The case dates back to 2020 when Google initially blocked channels associated with Kremlin allies and entities subject to U.S. sanctions. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, YouTube further blocked high-profile Russian channels, including those from Sputnik and RT, prompting the Russian government to pursue this legal route.
In a recent hearing, a Russian judge noted the staggering number of zeros involved, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the fine's symbolic nature.
“Although it is a specific amount, I cannot even say this number,” Peskov said, adding that “the company should not restrict our broadcasters on their platform.”
The fine, which continues to grow daily due to non-payment, could potentially double every week without a cap.
Google has said it doesn’t expect the penalties to significantly impact its overall business in its quarterly earnings report published earlier this week, although they have acknowledged that Russian court actions could affect certain operations. Despite Google’s retreat from Russia after the Ukraine invasion, key services like YouTube and Search are still accessible there.
Russian authorities increase pressure on Google to pay fine
Russian authorities have ramped up their efforts to recover the fine, even appealing to courts in countries like South Africa, which allowed a motion to seize some of Google’s local assets in June.
The Kremlin has implied that Google could avoid the fine by allowing the banned Russian channels back on YouTube. But, with Google’s current market value sitting at roughly $2 trillion, even if the fine is never paid, it’s a symbolic standoff with more political significance than financial impact for Google.
