INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
deems illegal, mediareported Wednesday as Russia continues to intensify its pressure on Big Tech following its invasion of Ukraine.Google
confirmed the reports the next day."Google Russia has published a notice of its intention to file for bankruptcy," a spokesperson for the
company told AFP."The Russian authorities' seizure of Google Russia's bank account has made it untenable for our Russia office to function,
including employing and paying Russia-based employees, paying suppliers and vendors, and meeting other financial obligations," the company
said.A Moscow courtfined Google 7.2 billion rubles ($113.5 million) in December 2021 for failure to remove content banned in Russia
Google, which tried but failed to appeal the ruling, missed a March 19 deadline to pay the fine.Google submitted a notice of intent to
"such as Search, YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Android and Play" to customers in Russia.A senior Russian cabinet minister this week stressed that
also blocked Russian state-run media outlets that have championed the war
Russia retaliated with fines but stopped short of banning the website.Even before invading Ukraine, Russia had amplified pressure on
U.S.-based tech giants for what it calls interference in its domestic politics and a range of other infractions.AFP contributed reporting.
