Russian news reports said that Google <GOOGL.O> was fined 3 million roubles ($38,600) on Thursday for failing to remove YouTube videos promoting “LGBT propaganda” and “false information” on Russia’s military war in Ukraine.
Over the last year, Moscow has punished hundreds of Western IT companies for censoring Russian online material.
After sending soldiers to Ukraine and tightening censorship, Russia tightened its “promotion of LGBT propaganda” legislation last year.
The new legislation broadens Russia’s definition of “LGBT propaganda” and has been strongly condemned by independent human rights groups. Any action or broadcast of material encouraging homosexuality in public, online, or in films, books, or advertising might result in severe punishment.
Russian officials said Google refused to delete numerous YouTube videos, including one from a “foreign agent” blogging about same-sex couples raising children and the LGBT community in St. Petersburg, TASS reported.
Google’s Russian branch filed bankruptcy last year after authorities confiscated its bank accounts following a December 2021 fine of 7.2 billion roubles ($92.6 million) for “repeated failure” to remove information.
Comment Template