Russia has been at loggerheads with many Western countries since the inception of its conflict with Ukraine. The U.S., U.K. and other Western nations have been sending aid (military and otherwise) to Ukraine. Also, many American and British companies have been discontinuing their operations in Russia. Russia is now fighting back in any way that it can. A few weeks ago, Russia seized some British satellites, now it has slammed a huge fine on Google. According to reports, a Russian court today ruled in favour of imposing a fine a $357 million on Google. This is because the company did not expunge some contents that Russia considers to be illegal.
In July, a Russian court fined Google $357 million for failing to remove illegal content and for failing to correct it. Today, for the same reason, the Russian court has issued a second “negotiable” fine of $357 million. There are reports that Russia’s state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, sent Google 17 notices asking Google to delete some inaccurate information. However, Google did not comply.
Gizchina News of the week
Google was fined $118 million by a Moscow court back in December 2021 for its repeated failure to remove content deemed illegal by Russia. This is also the first time Moscow has imposed a fine on a company based on revenue in such a case. Russia has also fined Google several times before for not removing illegal content, but the fines are smaller.
Apple iPhone 14 / Pro series will sell in Russia
Even though Apple halted sales of new products in Russia in March 2022 due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, Russians will still have access to new products, a senior government official told RIA Novosti today. Asked if he would import Apple’s new iPhones, Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov replied: “Why not? If consumers want to buy these phones, there will be opportunities.” The new iPhone 14 will be available on a parallel import mechanism, and Russians will have the opportunity to purchase the new device.
