Russia: Court Fines Google for Failing to Remove 'Forbidden Content'

Russia: Court Fines Google for Failing to Remove 'Forbidden Content'

MOSCOW — A Russian court fined Google 14 million rubles ($188,000) on Tuesday for failing to remove material that recent legislation by the Putin government deems “forbidden,” a designation that includes “content that advocates pornography, drugs or suicide.”

“By the rulings of the magistrate of the judicial section N422 of the Tagansky district of Moscow, on August 17, five materials on administrative violations against Google LLC were considered,” reads the ruling. “Company Google LLC was found guilty of committing administrative offenses under ... the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation — Violation of the procedure for restricting access to information, information resources, access to which is subject to restriction in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on information, information technology and information protection, and (or) the procedure for deleting said information.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin closed 2020 by signing a comprehensive censorship law that would allow for sweeping actions on supposed “moral grounds.”

According to NPR and several freedom-of-expression watchdogs, the Kremlin “has repeatedly used the protection of minors as a pretext to limit free expression.”

NPR reported that “At a meeting with young people [in March 2021], Putin said that tech companies had to follow the ‘moral laws of our society’ — or Russian society would collapse.”

For more of XBIZ's coverage on Russia's ongoing War on Porn, click here.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club; Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Creator Networking App 'Plaiir' Launches

Plaiir, a mobile networking app for creators, has officially launched.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Adult Site Broker Relaunches Site

Adult Site Broker has relaunched its website with several updates.

Pink and White Productions Relaunches PinkLabel.TV

Pink and White Productions has relaunched its PinkLabel.tv streaming platform.

Wick Entertainment Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Wick Entertainment has joined the ranks of over 60 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

MyMember.site Debuts Digital Rights Management Feature

MyMember.site has introduced a Digital Rights Management (DRM) feature to its platform.

Wyoming Governor Signs Age Verification Law

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the state's new age verification bill into law yesterday.

Show More