Russian watchdog to consider fine for Google on December 11

The Russian telecom regulator, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media will try the case on the merits regarding the fine for Google Corporation on December 11 in the presence of a representative of the US company, deputy head of the watchdog Vadim Subbotin told TASS.

"A protocol on administrative violation has been drawn up today in presence of an authorized representative of Google. An authorized official of Roskomnadzor will decide whether to impose the fine or not on December 11," Subbotin said. A representative from Google will attend the meeting, he added.

Google can avoid administrative liability if the company becomes connected to the Federal State Information System with the list of websites blocked in Russia by December 11, Subbotin noted.

"Google has a chance not to be called to administrative liability in case of fulfilling obligations on connection to the Federal State Information System with the list of websites blocked in Russia," the official said.

The regulator said earlier that Google can get a fine of 500-700 thousand rubles ($7,400-10,300) for refusal to connect to the Federal State Information System of Russia with the list of websites blocked in Russia. Google was to be connected to the system for exclusion of blocked websites from search results.

The talks between the watchdog and Google on compliance with Russian laws were held on November 14. The meeting was attended by Doron Avni, Google's Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Europe, Middle East and Africa Emerging Markets region. After the talks, deputy head of the Russian watchdog Vadim Subbotin told TASS that the Google representative had confirmed the willingness of the American company to comply with Russian legislation.