November 14, 2023 - In the ongoing dispute over data storage, Google has once again become the subject of fines from a Russian court. On Tuesday, a Moscow court ruled to fine Google 15 million rubles (approximately $164,000) for refusing to store Russian user data on servers in Russia.
This is another instance of legal sanctions against Google for the same accusations, following fines in August 2021 and June 2022. Previously, Russia has had disputes with several foreign tech companies regarding content censorship, data storage, and establishing local representatives, especially intensifying after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Google's Russian subsidiary has been under pressure from the Russian government to remove content deemed illegal in Moscow and restrict access to some Russian media on YouTube.
Last summer, due to authorities freezing its bank accounts, making it impossible to pay employees and suppliers, Google's Russian subsidiary applied for bankruptcy. Although the Kremlin blocked some social platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, it did not prevent access to Google's services. Its search engine and YouTube platform continue to operate freely in Russia.
Google has not immediately responded to email requests for comment.
In addition to fines for data storage issues, Google was also fined 3 million rubles (approximately $32,800) in August of this year for failing to remove allegedly false information about the conflict in Ukraine.
Since the substantial closure of Google's Russian operations last year, Moscow's actual ability to enforce fines is limited. This situation is similar to the cases of fines against Apple and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Since Russia's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities have taken measures to suppress any criticism of military actions. Some critics have faced severe penalties, such as opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, sentenced to 25 years in prison for delivering a speech opposing Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Saint Petersburg-based artist and musician Sasha Sichenko faces charges of spreading false information about the military, as she is on trial for replacing protest slogans on supermarket price tags. Prosecutors are seeking an eight-year prison sentence for her.
