FAS: MAGISTRATE FINED GOOGLE AT DOUBLE RATE FOR NON-PAYMENT OF A FINE

The company must additionally pay more than 4 billion rubles to the budget of the Russian Federation

Magistrate Court of the Presnensky District of Moscow issued a decision against Google LLC to impose a fine* of twice the amount of the fine unpaid within the prescribed by the FAS Russia period.

It should be reminded that in February 2022, FAS Russia 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 nontransparent, biased and unpredictable.

It leads to sudden blocking and deletion of user accounts without warning and justification of actions. FAS Russia found that such behavior infringes on the interests of users, as well as restricts competition in adjacent markets.

After a comprehensive study of the circumstances of the case, the Commission of FAS Russia found the company guilty of abusing its dominant position in the YouTube video hosting services market.

As a result of the conducted administrative investigation, FAS Russia imposed a turnover fine of more than 2 billion rubles (34,886,073 US dollars) on Google LLC for violation of antimonopoly legislation**.

The company tried to appeal the ruling and the remedies of the authority, as well as the decision to impose a fine, but the Ninth Arbitration Court of Appeal sided with FAS Russia. Earlier, the decision of the antimonopoly service was also supported by the court of first instance.

FAS Russia reminds that if the company does not pay the fine after 60 days from the date of entry into force of the court order, the authority transmits the information to the bailiffs for recovery, and the case materials are sent to the court for double prosecution.

For reference:

* According to Part 1 of Article 20.25 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.

** The penalty for violation is provided for in Part 2 of Article 14.31 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.