16 Nov 2022 14:27

Russian bailiffs start forcible collection of 21-bln-ruble turnover-based fine from Google

MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax) - Russian bailiffs have begun the procedure of forcible collection of a 21-billion-ruble turnover-based fine from Google over the company's repeated refusal to remove fake content about the special operation in Ukraine.

The procedure, which aims to collect 21,077,392,000 rubles, was opened against Google by means of a writ from Judicial District No. 422 in Moscow's Tagansky district, according to the information available in the databank of the Federal Bailiff Service.

The service is also enforcing the collection of 67 million rubles under 17 procedures opened this year.

A magistrates' court in Moscow's Tagansky district found Google guilty of a repeat administrative offense, i.e. a breach of restricted access to prohibited information. The company was fined 21,077,392,317 rubles, and the order took effect on September 9. Google was given 60 days to pay the fine voluntarily, but that was not done, and the materials were directed to bailiffs for forcible collection.

The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) said that the administrative motion was based on materials published on Google's YouTube video hosting service, "which knowingly enables dissemination of fake information about of the special military operation in Ukraine, which discredits the Russian Armed Forces, as well as materials spreading extremist views and the ideology of terrorist organizations and guidelines for making explosives."

It also said that the video hosting service contained materials advocating indifference to the life and health of minors and calls for participation in unsanctioned mass actions, including those addressed to minors.

Roskomnadzor noted that Google LLC and its information services had been repeatedly held administratively liable for a breach of Russian laws over the failure to remove prohibited information. Google LLC was fined over 68 million rubles on those charges.

Back on December 24, 2021, a justice of the peace from Judicial District No. 422 in the Tagansky district imposed a 7.22-billion-ruble turnover-based fine on Google LLC under Part 5, Article 13.41 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses for the repeat breach of the restricted access to illegal content. The Federal Bailiff Service fully collected the fine.

Google's Russian subsidiary, Google LLC, filed for bankruptcy with the Moscow Court of Arbitration, on June 16.