The Tagansky district court in Moscow handed down a monetary penalty to Google LLC, amounting to 5 million rubles, for failing to follow the directives issued by Roskomnadzor. The decision was reported by RIA News and underscores the ongoing regulatory scrutiny directed at major tech platforms operating within the Russian Federation.
In its ruling, the court classified the conduct as an administrative offense under Part 4 of Article 19.7.10 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The 5 million ruble fine reflects the court’s assessment that Google did not comply with the specific instructions designed to enforce compliance with Russian law and protect the information space within the country.
Historically, this case is part of a broader pattern in which Google has faced repeated penalties for governance and content moderation practices that Roskomnadzor deemed to contravene Russian regulations. By the end of 2021, the company had already drawn attention for a turnover-based fine that reached 7.2 billion rubles under Part 5 of Article 13.41. In subsequent actions, two additional turnover fines accumulated, including a substantial sum of 21.7 billion rubles for failing to remove certain disinformation concerning the actions of the Russian military, and 4.6 billion rubles for continuing to refuse requests to remove counterfeit or misleading content from YouTube. These penalties illustrate the Russian authorities’ emphasis on content accuracy, national security narratives, and compliance with state directives across major international platforms.
Roskomnadzor has repeatedly argued that numerous violations, a perceived lack of respect for Russia and its citizens, and non-compliance with official demands have provided grounds for action against YouTube and affiliated services. The regulatory body has stressed the importance of timely and complete responses to formal requests, including those related to channel blocking, information dissemination, and the removal of content deemed dangerous or false in the Russian information environment. This year has seen Roskomnadzor actively exercise its powers, with notable examples including the blocking of a significant portion of Russian channels on the platform and a persistent push to obtain cooperation from YouTube’s operators. While the organization has reported that channel access was restricted for a subset of channels, it has also indicated continuing engagement efforts with the parent company to address these concerns and to restore or preserve access where appropriate.
In a related development, public demonstrations and statements by cultural figures have occasionally intersected with regulatory tensions. A prominent performer publicly criticized the platform after a decision to suspend or close a channel, staging a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy. The incident has been interpreted by observers as a reflection of broader debates about freedom of expression, platform governance, and the responsibilities of global tech services in navigating diverse legal regimes. Such events underscore the complex relationship between content moderation, geopolitical considerations, and the rights and responsibilities of both platforms and national regulators.