Russia: Roskomnadzor adopts two administrative protocols against Google for alleged failure to delete illegal content

On 14 April 2022, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media of Russia, Roskomnadzor, announced that it draw up two administrative protocols against Google due to the company’s refusal to delete content from its platform Youtube classified by the Russian authorities as “prohibited”. The administrative protocols are based on Article 13.41(Part 2 and 4) of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. Roskomnadzor alleges that Google refused to remove illegal content and discriminated against Russian entities by blocking access to information uploaded by Russian media and government agencies. Furthermore, the protocols include examples of content from Youtube that allegedly discredit the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and call for violent actions against the military personnel. The protocols will be submitted to the court, which will determine the fine that Google will have to pay. The Roskomnadzor noted that for the alleged violations, Google risks a fine of up to RUB 8 million and in the case of repeated violations a fine of up to 20% of the company's global revenue.