Google owner Alphabet fined $47 million by Russia for failure to pay last fine

Alphabet Inc, the parent company of Google, has been fined over 4 billion roubles ($47 million) by a Russian court for its failure to pay a previous fine, as announced by Russia's anti-monopoly watchdog. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) stated that Google had "abused its dominant position in the YouTube video hosting services market," although no specific details were provided. 

In response, Google expressed its intention to review the official decision before determining its next course of action.

According to the FAS, Google is required to pay the fine within two months of the decision-taking effect. This adds to the series of fines imposed on Google's Russian subsidiary in recent months.

In December 2021, a Russian court had previously fined Alphabet's subsidiary Google $98 million for repeated failures to remove content considered illegal. The context of these fines is the "special military operation" launched by Moscow in Ukraine.

As part of its efforts to exert greater control over the online space, Russia has intensified its attacks on Western tech companies, including supporting domestic players to replace their Western rivals. YouTube, which has globally blocked Russian state-funded media, is facing significant pressure from Russia's communications regulator and politicians.