Russia imposes fines on Google that exceed company value

Russia has accused Google of blocking public television channels that broadcast propaganda content on YouTube and has decided to impose fines that will soon exceed the American giant's value.

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Vladimir Putin's government reported that the fines would reach US$20.5 trillion, written as 20 with 33 zeros. The New York Post on wednesday

That would be much higher than Google's value, which is currently $2,000 billion, again according to American media.

These fines will increase every day the company does not pay, lawyer Ivan Morozov explained to the Russian news agency TASS.

Moscow's decision to impose such fines on Tuesday comes after an initial fine of US$1 million was imposed on the American company four years ago after it banned pro-Kremlin YouTube channels.

Google chose to close its Russian division in 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The web giant, however, was more unperturbed by Russia's decision in its reports on its results published on Tuesday evening. The New York Post.

“We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect,” the company stressed.