Russia Fines Google For Failing To Remove “False Information” Videos On YouTube

YouTube is accused of spreading false information about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (photo; doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA – A Russian court has fined Google Alphabet Inc. of 11 million rubles (IDR 1.98 billion). According to a report by the TASS news agency, they were deemed to have failed to comply with demands by the Russian government to remove what they described as "false" information about the conflict in Ukraine and YouTube videos produced by right-wing Ukrainian groups.

Russia's communications watchdog said earlier this month that it was taking steps to punish Google for "spreading false information" on YouTube. They had previously warned the US company that they would be fined if they failed to comply with the order. Russia's actions are part of a wider battle with foreign technology companies and the media to control the flow of information.

According to Moscow's Tagansky District Court last Thursday, Google had previously been found guilty of administrative offenses and fined 4 million rubles (IDR 710 million) and 7 million rubles (IDR 1.2 billion) in two other cases. Google itself did not immediately comment on this.

The TASS news agency said the fine relates to what Moscow considers to be the distribution of inaccurate data on Russian troop losses and civilian casualties in Ukraine. There is also the distribution of video clips on YouTube produced by right-wing Ukrainian groups such as the Azov nationalist battalion.

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine on February 24 in what it called a special operation to undermine the military capabilities of its southern neighbor and root out what it called dangerous nationalists.

Ukrainian forces themselves have fought back fiercely and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow in a bid to force President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops.

As reported by Reuters, Russia has also blocked several foreign social media companies, including Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook and Instagram. YouTube, although under increasing pressure from the Russian government, remains available.

RIA news agency last Thursday reported that another case had been filed against Google for what it described as the distribution of videos on YouTube calling for terror attacks in Russia.