Russian Fine Against Google Surpasses Entire Global Wealth in a Stunning Calculation
Google is facing a massive fine in Russia, which has ballooned to an astonishing $2.5 decillion over the last couple of years. This sum is equivalent to 2 undecillion Russian Rubles, making it an almost impossible debt for the company to pay off.
The Reason Behind the Fine
The reason for this massive fine is due to Google blocking pro-Kremlin propaganda channels on YouTube. According to Russia’s state law, the fine doubled for every week that it wasn’t paid. This has led to the fine increasing exponentially over time.
A Brief History of the Fine
The fine originated from a lawsuit filed by media outlets Tsargrad and RIA FAN, which were part of the Patriot Media Group headed by former Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The initial fine was 100,000 Rubles, but it has since grown to an astronomical sum.
Google’s Net Assets and the Fine
Google’s net assets are over $300 billion, but this is still nowhere near the amount of the fine. In fact, it would take several trillion YouTube Premium subscriptions to pay off the fine, which is highly unlikely.
Implications of the Fine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had significant consequences for Google, including stopping advertising in the country and its Russian subsidiary declaring bankruptcy. It is unlikely that Google will pay the fine, and the situation continues to unfold.
The Russian fine against Google is a remarkable example of the complexities of international law and the consequences of taking a stance against a country’s interests.