Russia: Roskomnadzor initiates administrative proceedings against Google (YouTube) for failing to remove illegal content

On 27 October 2021, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, Roskomnadzor, initiated an administrative protocol against Google for failing to restrict access to illegal content. According to Article 13.41, which was added to the Code of Administrative Offenses on 30 December 2020, online platforms have to restrict access and delete materials classified as illegal in Russia. Roskomnadzor alleges that the platform YouTube, owned by Google LLC, failed to comply with the new requirements by not restricting access to more than 2’400 flagged illegal contents. The case will be submitted to the Magistrate's Court of Moscow and if found in violation of the law, the company risks an administrative fine ranging between 5% and 10% of the annual turnover.