ECHR Victory: Google Wins Rights to Freedom of Expression Battle

The European Court of Human Rights ruled against Russia in the case of Google LLC, imposing fines and pressuring the company to remove specific content from YouTube. The interference with Google’s freedom of expression regarding politics, Ukraine invasion, criticism of Russian government, and LGBTQ rights was deemed unnecessary in a democratic society.

The fines imposed on Google by Russian authorities, amounting to billions of roubles, were found to have a “chilling effect” on hosting content critical of the government. The court also criticized Russian courts for compelling Google to host specific content, interfering with the right to express oneself.

The European Court of Human Rights questioned the legal basis and fairness of Russian courts’ actions against Google. It highlighted the lack of adequate justification for imposing fines on the company and raised concerns about the interference with freedom of expression.

Read more at Nasdaq: ECHR Rules In Favor Of Google’s Violated Rights To Freedom Of Expression