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Russian court fines Google $20 billion

Google was ordered by a Moscow court to pay $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 for blocking Russian media channels on YouTube after the invasion of Ukraine.

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According to multiple reports, a Russian court is demanding that Google pay $20 billion after several television networks and media channels in the country were blocked from YouTube.

The fine is 20 with 33 zeros attached and has 37 digits. The inflated figure comes from a Moscow court, which imposed it after 17 television channels and media platforms in the country were blocked by YouTube, which owns Google, Russian news agency RBC reported.

The blocking of the channels came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The fine is well above Google's market value of $2.15 trillion, but no higher than a Googol containing 100 zeros.

Google's name was inspired by the word “googol” in 1997, after initially being called “BackRub,” Business Insider reported.

“Although it is a specific amount, I can't even name this number, it is rather full of symbolism,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told NBC News. “The company should not restrict our channels on their platform. This should be a reason for Google leadership to pay attention and improve the situation.”

USA TODAY contacted Google and the Kremlin on Thursday but did not immediately receive a response.

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Google's fine from Russia could be higher

The case against Google began in 2020 when the tech giant blocked channels belonging to Wagner Group mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, both of whom are strong supporters of Putin, according to NBC News. The case was expanded and the fine increased when YouTube banned more channels after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the media said.

Google's Russian legal entity, Google LLC, filed for bankruptcy in June 2022, RBC reported. In November 2023, the court declared Google bankrupt, the outlet said.

To avoid further financial penalties, Google would have to restore YouTube channels within nine months, with a fine of 100,000 rubles (around $1,000) for each day of non-compliance, RBC reported. That amount will double each week until Google complies with the order, and there is no limit to the amount of the fine, the outlet said.

Alphabet: “We have ongoing legal matters related to Russia”

Alphabet, Google's parent company, fell 1.2% in premarket trading after closing about 3% higher on Wednesday when the company reported its quarterly results.

In the “Legal Matters” section of Alphabet’s third-quarter earnings release, the company said: “We have ongoing legal matters related to Russia. For example, we have been subject to civil judgments involving penalty interest in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties.”

Alphabet added: “We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse impact.”

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