A Russian court has fined Alphabet Inc.’s Google more than 22 million roubles (approximately $288,000) for allowing the distribution of virtual private network (VPN) services through its Google Play Store, according to state news agency TASS.
The ruling marks another escalation in Russia’s ongoing efforts to control access to restricted online content and tighten regulations on foreign technology companies operating within its borders.
VPN services enable users to bypass government-imposed internet restrictions by masking their location and allowing access to blocked websites, foreign social media platforms, and independent news sources. In Russia, many citizens rely on VPNs to access international platforms that have been banned or limited by authorities.
Russian regulators have increasingly targeted VPN providers and digital platforms, arguing that such tools undermine national internet regulations and allow access to prohibited information.
The fine against Google reflects Moscow’s broader push to enforce its digital sovereignty laws and strengthen control over the country’s internet space.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has faced multiple legal and financial penalties in Russia in recent years as tensions between Russian authorities and global tech firms continue to grow.
