Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor said it had opened administrative cases against Alphabet Inc’s Google and six other foreign technology companies for alleged breaches of personal data law.
Russia has clashed with Big Tech over content, censorship, data and local representation in a raging dispute that has erupted into a full-on information battle since sending thousands of troops to Ukraine on February 24.
Last year, Russia fined Google 3 million rubles ($46,540) for not storing Russian users’ data in databases in Russian territory. It said on Friday it had repeatedly criticized Google for complying with Russian law. A new case was opened regarding bar failure.
Google, which declined to comment, could be fined between 6-18 million rubles, Roskomnadzor said.
The regulator also said that it has opened cases for the first time against six other companies – Airbnb, Pinterest, Like Me, Twitch, Apple and United Parcel Service – for allegedly levying potential fines of 1-6 million rubles.
Like me could not be reached, while the other five companies had no immediate comment.