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Russian media watchdog ready to block Google if fines prove ineffective

Blocking will be the toughest measure

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Russian laws can be changed to impose tougher sanctions on foreign internet companies reluctant to abide by the country’s legislation, deputy head of the Russian media watchdog Vadim Subbotin told TASS.

"In case fines fail to make a foreign company change its ways, there is a chance that the legislation will be changed, which will make it possible to block access to Google in Russia," he pointed out.

According to Subbotin, such a measure is not possible under the current legislation. "Blocking will be the toughest measure," he noted.

Subbotin pointed out that at first, the minimum fine of 500,000 rubles ($7,500) was imposed on Google, while the next will be 750,000 rubles ($11,200).

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