Alphabet-owned Google (GOOGL) has been fined by a Russian court for its involvement in the Ukraine war.
Disclosing Personal Data
According to state news agency TASS, Google has been found guilty by Moscow judges of disclosing the personal data of Russian soldiers killed during the war in Ukraine.
The ruling from Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media found that content on YouTube included information on the losses in Ukraine of Russian servicemen as well as prohibited information revealing the identities and personal data of some of those soldiers.
The material was described as a violation of Russian law, which bans the dissemination of such information. The court reportedly imposed a fine of 3.8 million rubles or $46,240 on the company.
Russia has for several years ordered foreign technology platforms to remove content it deems illegal, such as what it calls “fakes” about the war in Ukraine, issuing small but persistent fines when it sees failures to comply.
The same court has fined Google several times for what it called violations, such as posting a YouTube video with instructions for how Russian troops could surrender, and for restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube.
Google’s Gargantuan Debt
According to local media reports, Google’s debt to Russia for administrative fines now totals $2.4 decillion, a 36-digit figure, and continues to grow due to late payment.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin also accused Google last December of being a tool of the U.S. government to score political points against his country.
Russia, if and when a ceasefire deal is eventually agreed in the Ukraine war, has been making overtures to European and global companies about re-entering the country and restarting business there.
What the ruling today shows however is how complicated and costly doing business in Russia can be – in war and peace.
Is GOOGL a Good Stock to Buy?
On TipRanks, GOOGL has a Moderate Buy consensus based on 27 Buy and 10 Hold ratings. Its highest price target is $226. GOOGL stock’s consensus price target is $196.94 implying an 32.69% upside.
