A Russian court has slapped Google with a mind-boggling fine of $20 decillion—an amount so astronomical it has 36 zeros trailing behind it. This fine, stemming from Google’s decision to block pro-Kremlin media outlets on YouTube, dwarfs the estimated global GDP of around $100 trillion by an unfathomable margin.
The legal saga began in 2020 when Google took action against the ultra-nationalist channel Tsargrad TV, responding to U.S. sanctions imposed on its owner. As penalties accumulated, the daily fines began at 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,025) but doubled every week, rapidly inflating the total to this outrageous figure. Additional channels were blocked in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further exacerbating the situation.
With Google’s Russian subsidiary declaring bankruptcy in 2022 and its assets subsequently seized by authorities, the company faces a precarious position. However, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, remains unfazed by the impending penalties, asserting that it does not expect these legal challenges to significantly impact its global operations.
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