Russia fines Google £73m over failure to delete ‘illegal’ content

Moscow ruling is first revenue-based fine of its kind in Russia and comes amid fears of internet crackdown

A Moscow court has said it is fining Alphabet's Google 7.2bn roubles (73m) for what it says is a repeated failure to delete content Russia deems illegal, the first revenue-based fine of its kind in Russia.

Moscow has increased pressure on big tech this year in a campaign that critics characterise as an attempt by Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet, something they say threatens individual and corporate freedom.