Russia announced on Tuesday that it will pursue a fine of a percentage of Google's annual Russian turnover this month for failing to delete content deemed unlawful on multiple occasions, marking Moscow's most aggressive effort yet to rein in global internet corporations.
Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulator, claimed Google had failed to pay 32.5 million roubles ($458,100) in fines so far this year, and that it would now pursue a fine of 5-20 per cent of Google's Russian turnover, which could reach $240 million, a huge rise.
A request for comment from Google was not immediately returned.
Russia has increased its pressure on international Internet companies in order to impose greater control over the internet in the country, reducing Twitter's (TWTR.N) speed since March and fining others for content violations on a regular basis.
