Russia alleges Google did not remove banned content

Russia said Monday that it opened a case against Google, alleging the U.S.-based tech giant did not comply with requirements to remove banned content. 

Communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said Google failed to remove search results from resources with information prohibited in Russia. 

Officials said Google did not remove up to 30 percent of what was deemed “dangerous” content, including sites with extremist, pornographic and suicidal content. 

Roskomnadzor said it opened “administrative proceedings” against Google that could lead to a court case and a fine of up to 5 million rubles, about $65,670, Reuters reported. 

A Google spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. 

In August, a court fined Google 1.5 million rubles after finding the company guilty of failing to block torrent, which is banned in Russia. Other global tech companies have also faced challenges in the country, Reuters noted. 

Russian lawmakers last week presented draft legislation that could allow the Kremlin to restrict internet access to U.S. social media platforms that are deemed to have discriminated against Russian media outlets, the news service reported.