Russia gives Google 24 hours to delete unwanted content

The Russian communications' watchdog Roskomnadzor has given Google 24 hours to delete unwanted content failing which it would fine Google.

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor on Monday gave Google 24 hours to delete what it called prohibited content failing which it would fine the tech giant and said Moscow could eventually slow down the company's traffic in the country. Russia has already placed a punitive slowdown on US social network Twitter for not deleting banned content, part of a push by Moscow to rein in Western tech giants and beef up what it calls its internet sovereignty. "If (Google) does not restrict access to the banned information within 24 hours, it will be fined between 800,000 roubles and 4 million roubles," it said The watchdog said a repeat offense would be punishable by a fine of up to 10 per cent of the company's total annual revenue "The volume and timing of Google's failure to remove (banned) content available in Russia is such that traffic slowdowns may be imposed on the company's services," it said.