A Russian court has imposed a colossal fine on Google, demanding payment of two undecillion roubles—an amount equal to a two followed by 36 zeroes. In dollar terms, this sum would amount to an unimaginable $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, which far surpasses Google’s valuation of $2 trillion and even exceeds the world’s estimated GDP of $110 trillion.
The fine was levied due to Google’s restriction of content from 17 Russian state media channels on YouTube. Although this limitation on Russian media content began in 2020, it intensified following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to sanctions and Western businesses largely withdrawing from the country.
State news agency Tass reports that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked on the astronomical fine, saying he “cannot even pronounce this number” but insisted that Google’s management “pay attention.” Google has yet to respond to the fine or to requests for comment.
This development highlights escalating tensions between Russia and Google. In 2022, after sanctions took effect, Google declared its Russian subsidiary bankrupt and halted commercial services in the country, though its products remain accessible. Earlier, in 2021 and 2022, Russia fined Google for restricting content it deemed “prohibited,” including information related to the war in Ukraine and other material.
Russia’s severe curtailment of press freedoms has limited independent media and freedom of expression, leaving state-controlled narratives dominant in the media landscape.
