Why Russia has fined Google more than the GDP of the entire world
$20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 or $20 decillion on Google for failing to restore banned pro-Kremlin YouTube channels. The fine not only Google’s $2 trillion market value but also the entire world’s GDP of approximately $110 trillion.
The Moscow court’s ruling, reported Thursday by Russian state media TASS, stems from Google’s refusal to reinstate YouTube accounts of Russian state media outlets and pro-government channels that were blocked following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Although it is a specific amount, I cannot even pronounce this number, it is rather filled with symbolism,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, acknowledging the astronomical size of the penalty.