FAS IMPOSED 2 BILLION RUB FINE ON GOOGLE

In February 2022, FAS completed consideration of the antimonopoly case against Google LLC. The Authority found that the rules related to the formation, suspension, blocking of accounts and the circulation of user content on YouTube are non-transparent, nonobjective and unpredictable.

These rules lead to sudden blocking and deletion of user accounts without warning and justification. FAS established that such behavior infringes the interests of users and restricts competition in adjacent markets.

After a comprehensive study of the circumstances of the case, the Commission on the consideration of the case found that Google LLC abused its dominant position in the YouTube video hosting services market.

As a result of the conducted administrative investigation, FAS imposed a turnover fine of more than 2 billion rubles (34,886,073.22 US dollars) on Google LLC for the violation of antimonopoly law. The company must pay it within two months from the date of entry into force of the document on the imposition of a fine.

For reference:
The penalty for violation is provided by part 2 of Article 14.31 of the Code on Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation