Russia fines Google more than the global GDP

Russian media say the fines imposed on US IT giant Google by a Russian court reached a 36-digit rubles figure, as of Tuesday.

The amount is far greater than the world’s GDP, estimated by the International Monetary Fund.

Russia’s state-run Tass news agency says the fines imposed on Google, which owns the video-sharing site YouTube, have been increasing due to non-payment.

Russian newspaper RBK says 17 TV channels, including state-run television, sued Google for suspending their output on YouTube.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that he could not pronounce the enormous sum, but it was symbolic.

He added that Google ”should not restrict the activities” of Russia’s broadcasters.