A Russian court has ordered Google to pay a staggering $20 decillion in fines for removing Russian media channels from YouTube. This astronomical figure is a result of a compound interest penalty, which has ballooned over time.
The ruling stems from a dispute that began in 2020 when YouTube banned the ultra-nationalist channel Tsargrad. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several more channels were added to the banned list.
While the fine is absurdly large and likely unenforceable, it highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Western tech companies. Google has already pulled out of Russia and its assets have been seized. The company remains defiant and has stated that the legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business.