A Russian court has imposed fines on Alphabet’s Google and the messaging platform Discord for failing to delete or restrict access to content deemed illegal by the country’s authorities.
The fines, announced on Monday, were issued by Moscow’s Tagansky District Court, marking the latest in a series of penalties targeting foreign tech companies as both companies were fined 3.5 million roubles (approximately $37,675) each.
For several years, Russia has been pressuring international tech platforms to comply with its demands to remove content it considers unlawful, including material related to political opposition, controversial news, or other content deemed to threaten national security.
While the fines issued tend to be relatively small, they have been persistent, with Moscow consistently holding these platforms accountable for non-compliance.
The fines against Google stemmed from its failure to remove content Russia categorizes as illegal, while Discord was penalized for not restricting access to banned information. Both companies have yet to comment on the recent court rulings.
Russia’s courts and regulatory bodies have increasingly targeted tech giants as part of a broader crackdown on online content.
Google, in particular, has faced significant scrutiny in Russia, especially following its decision to block YouTube channels of Russian media outlets and public figures in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. This action has heightened tensions between the tech giant and Russian authorities, leading to an intensified push to control online content.
These fines are part Russia’s ongoing efforts to control information available on global tech platforms, with the government increasingly enforcing regulations on foreign firms that operate within the country’s digital space. The legal pressure is likely to continue as Moscow seeks greater control over online discourse.