Topline

The Russian government is seeking to fine Google about $20 trillion, a figure with 34 zeros that is exponentially larger than the global economy, over a decision by YouTube – owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet – to block channels that run by Russian state media Russian officials.

Important facts

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Cons

Google is unlikely to pay the penalty: The company said in its third-quarter earnings report earlier this week that it had “ongoing legal matters related to Russia,” including increased penalties, that would not have a “material adverse impact.” The 37-figure fine is “full of symbolism,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday and “could be a reason for Google management to pay attention to what is going on and take action.”

Big number

110 trillion dollars. That’s the estimated value of the world’s overall economy, according to the International Monetary Fund, which is a small fraction of Google’s fine. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has a market valuation of $2.1 trillion at Thursday’s share price.

Surprising fact

According to Tass, YouTube became inaccessible to thousands of users in Russia on August 8, although it is not immediately clear why the platform was blocked. Weeks earlier, Russian lawmakers had reportedly said upload speeds on YouTube in Russia would drop by 70% because the platform “violates and ignores the law with impunity.”

Important background

The crackdown on Russian media has intensified in recent years as social media platforms and U.S. officials accuse the media of disinformation campaigns – particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was preceded by baseless claims about Ukrainians. The Biden administration last month accused Russia of election interference through an alleged disinformation campaign involving state media ANO Dialog and RT, formerly known as Russia Today. Days later, Meta reportedly announced that RT and Rossiya Segodnya would be banned from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta said in a report earlier this year that Russia remains the largest source of “coordinated inauthentic behavior” on social media platforms after the company criticized its failure to counter Russia’s election interference efforts in the 2016 election to block on its platforms.

Further reading

ReutersThe Kremlin says Google should lift its YouTube ban on Russian channelsForbesUS imposes sanctions on Russia over interference in 2024 electionsFrom Ty Roush