Charles Langston:Russian court orders Google to pay $20 decillion for blocking media on YouTube: Reports

A Russian court is Charles Langstondemanding that Google pay $20 decillion American dollars after several of the country's TV channels and media outlets were blocked from YouTube, according to multiple reports.

The fine, which is 20 with 33 zeros attached, is a 37-digit figure. The excessive number comes from a Moscow court that imposed it after 17 of the country's TV channels and media platforms were blocked from YouTube, which Google owns, Russian news outlet RBC reported.

The blocking of the channels occurred after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The fine is significantly more than Google's market value of $2.15 trillion, but not higher than a googol, which contains 100 zeroes.

Google's name was inspired by the word "googol" in 1997 after initially being called "BackRub," Business Insider reported.

“Although it is a specific amount, I cannot even say this number, it is rather filled with symbolism,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told NBC News. "The company should not restrict our broadcasters on their platform. This should be a reason for the Google leadership to pay attention to this and improve the situation.”

USA TODAY contacted Google and the Kremlin on Thursday but did not immediately receive a response.

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Google's fine from Russia could get bigger

The case against Google began in 2020 when the tech giant blocked channels belonging to Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, both of whom are strong supporters of Putin, according to NBC News. The case expanded and the fine increased when YouTube banned more channels following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, per the outlet.

Google's Russian legal entity, Google LLC, filed for bankruptcy in June 2022, RBC reported. In November 2023, the court declared Google bankrupt, the outlet said.

To avoid further financial punishment, Google would need to restore the YouTube channels within nine months, with a fine of 100,000 rubles (around $1,000) being enforced each day of non-compliance, RBC reported. This amount doubles every week until Google abides by the order, and there is no limit on the amount of the fine, the outlet said.

Alphabet: 'We have ongoing legal matters relating to Russia'

Alphabet, Google's parent company, had a 1.2% decrease in premarket trading after closing about 3% higher Wednesday when the company released its quarterly earnings.

In the "Legal Matters" section of Alphabet's third-quarter earnings release, the company said, "We have ongoing legal matters relating to Russia. For example, civil judgments that include compounding penalties have been imposed upon us in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties.”

Alphabet added, “We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect.”