Russia fines Google and TikTok over banned content
The latest action is part of Russia’s broader strategy to compel foreign tech firms to remove content it designates as illegal.
Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has fined Alphabet’s Google and TikTok for not complying with orders to remove banned content. The Tagansky district court in Moscow imposed a 5 million rouble ($58,038) fine on Google and a 4 million rouble fine on TikTok. These penalties were issued because both platforms failed to identify content similar to what was previously ordered to be removed.
This is part of a broader effort by Russia over the past several years to enforce the removal of content it considers illegal from foreign technology platforms. Although relatively small, the fines have been persistent, reflecting Russia’s ongoing scrutiny and regulation of online content.
Moscow has been particularly critical of Google, especially for taking down YouTube channels associated with Russian media and public figures. Neither Google nor TikTok immediately responded to requests for comment on the fines.
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