4 Jul 2022 15:40

Protocol under which Google facing new fine of up to 10% of annual revenue reaches Moscow court, hearing scheduled for July 12

MOSCOW. July 4 (Interfax) - A Moscow magistrates' court next week will consider the second administrative protocol filed by Russia's telecoms watchdog Roskomnadzor against Google LLC for repeated failure to delete information prohibited in Russia from YouTube, under which the company is facing a fine in an amount of 5%-10% of the company's annual revenue in Russia.

"A magistrate of Judicial District No. 422 of Moscow's Tagansky District Court has received the administrative material against Google LLC. The court hearing is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Moscow time on July 12," court press secretary Zulfiya Guriyechuk told Interfax on Monday.

Roskomnadzor said on June 22 it had filed an administrative protocol against Google LLC based on Part 5 of Article 13.41 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses for a repeat violation of the procedures for restricting access to materials containing prohibited information. This violation is punishable by an administrative fine, which may reach between 5%-10% of the Internet company's revenue in Russia.

According to Roskomnadzor, the company was held administratively liable for materials published on the video hosting platform YouTube, owned by Google LLC, which "is deliberately promoting the dissemination of": false information on the progression of the special military operation in Ukraine discrediting the Russian Armed Forces; materials promoting extremist views and ideology of terrorist organizations, as well as instructions on how to make explosive devices. The video hosting platform also published materials promoting an indifferent attitude to the life and health of minors, as well as content containing calls for participation in unauthorized rallies, including those targeted at minors.