On February 10, 2022, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia recognized Google as a violator of antitrust laws due to the dominant position of YouTube. The FAS found that the video hosting service, for no reason and without proper justification, and also, at its own discretion, conducts sudden blocking, deleting accounts and closing access to the content of Russian users.
The regulator during the investigation of the case against Google, initiated by the department in April 2021, found out that the rules related to the formation, suspension, blocking of accounts and circulation of content of Russian users and companies on Youtube are opaque, biased and unpredictable.
The FAS explained that such a policy of Youtube leads to sudden blocking and deletion of user accounts without warning and justification for actions.
FAS found that such behavior on the part of Youtube infringes on the interests of users, and also limits competition in adjacent markets.
The FAS Commission found Google guilty of abusing its dominant position in the market for YouTube video hosting services. The FAS will determine the amount of the fine for the American company during the administrative investigation of the antitrust case against Google. The company can receive a multi-billion dollar turnover penalty on the amount of market revenue in accordance with Art. 14.31 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
The antimonopoly investigation against Google was based on a complaint from experts from the Regional Public Center for Internet Technologies (ROCIT).
A Google representative explained to Interfax that the company is waiting for documents from the FAS to get acquainted with the decision of the regulator.
bbabo.Net