Russia slaps Google, Tiktok with sanction over failure to do away with ‘forbidden content’  

Russia punished Alphabet’s Google and TikTok on Wednesday for failing to comply with a communications regulator Roskomnadzor ruling about illegal content, according to the Moscow courts’ press service.

The court punished TikTok 4 million roubles and Google 5 million roubles (approximately $58,038) for their failure to find and remove previously listed as illegal information.

This latest stringent measure applied by Russia illustrates its tough constant demand that foreign digital platforms erase any content it considers illegal.

According to reports, social media platform compliance has repeatedly been an issue, resulting in several fines despite multiple directions and penalties.

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For many years, Russia has imposed tiny but consistent fines on multinational technology companies for failing to erase content it considers illegal.

According to Reuters, Google has come under pressure from Moscow, specifically for removing YouTube channels associated with well-known Russian media figures and state authorities.

This development reflects the continuous and escalating dispute over the regulation of digital information, with Russia steadfast in maintaining its laws and IT businesses caught in the crossfire of differing international norms and expectations.

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