Google Faces Fines In Russia For Violating Antitrust Rules

JAKARTA - Google is facing fines after Russia's antitrust watchdog said the US tech company had violated rules related to suspending and blocking accounts on its YouTube video service.

The Russian Federal Antitrust Service (FAS) said on Thursday, February 10, that the fine would be determined during an administrative investigation, adding that Google's behavior had violated the interests of users and limited competition.

"Google is waiting for the full text of the decision to look into it," Google said, as quoted by Reuters.

Russia has awarded Google several small fines in the past year for failing to remove content Moscow considers illegal. It is part of a wider campaign that critics have characterized as an attempt by Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet.

It upped the ante last December by imposing a 7.2 billion ruble ($97 million) penalty for what it said was a persistent failure to remove prohibited items. Google itself has appealed the ruling.

"(FAS) found that the rules related to account creation, suspension and blocking and handling of user content on YouTube were not transparent, biased and unpredictable," FAS said in a statement.

YouTube has also been the subject of a protracted dispute with Tsargrad TV, an Orthodox Christian channel, which was blocked by Google because the account was owned by a Russian businessman who was the target of US sanctions.

Konstantin Malofeev claimed victory in the case in December, saying Google faced potentially heavy fines. Read more

YouTube has also angered Moscow for removing live broadcasts of Russian broadcaster RT DE last year, part of a wider spat that saw Russia shut down German broadcaster Deutsche Welle's operations in Moscow earlier this month and strip its staff of accreditation.