GOOGLE LLC AND OTHERS v. RUSSIA - 37027/22 (Article 10 - Freedom of expression - {general} : Third Section) [2025] ECHR 170 (08 July 2025)

GOOGLE LLC AND OTHERS v. RUSSIA - 37027/22 (Article 10 - Freedom of expression - {general} : Third Section) [2025] ECHR 170 (08 July 2025)

The imposition of substantial fines and coercive penalties on Google LLC for failure to comply with take-down requests and for not restoring Tsargrad TV's YouTube account constituted disproportionate interference with freedom of expression under Article 10. The measures lacked adequate justification, were not necessary in a democratic society, and failed to pursue legitimate aims. Enforcement proceedings and asset seizures against Google Russia, including aggregation of revenues from multiple entities, violated the right to a reasoned judgment under Article 6.

Citation
[2025] ECHR 170
Parties
Applicant: Google LLC; Applicant: OOO Google (Google Russia); Applicant: Google International LLC; Applicant: Google Ireland Limited; Respondent: Russian Federation; Interested Party: Tsargrad TV
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
08 July 2025
Procedural Posture
European Court of Human Rights Application / Final Judgment
Outcome
Violation of Article 10 and Article 6 found against Russia; judgment in favour of applicant companies.
Legal Topics
Freedom of Expression, Platform Liability, Sanctions, Jurisdiction, Enforcement of Judgments, Bankruptcy, Corporate Separateness, Proportionality of Penalties
Human Rights Administrative Law Civil Procedure Commercial Law Freedom of Expression Platform Liability Sanctions Jurisdiction +4 more

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Parties

Google LLC

Applicant

OOO Google (Google Russia)

Applicant

Google International LLC

Applicant

Google Ireland Limited

Applicant

Russian Federation

Respondent

Tsargrad TV

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

European Court of Human Rights Application / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the imposition of substantial fines on Google LLC for failure to comply with take-down requests violated Article 10 (freedom of expression)
  2. 2 Whether penalties imposed for failure to restore Tsargrad TV's YouTube account violated Article 10
  3. 3 Whether enforcement proceedings and asset seizures against Google Russia violated Article 6 (right to a reasoned judgment)

Ratio Decidendi

The imposition of substantial fines and coercive penalties on Google LLC for failure to comply with take-down requests and for not restoring Tsargrad TV's YouTube account constituted disproportionate interference with freedom of expression under Article 10. The measures lacked adequate justification, were not necessary in a democratic society, and failed to pursue legitimate aims. Enforcement proceedings and asset seizures against Google Russia, including aggregation of revenues from multiple entities, violated the right to a reasoned judgment under Article 6.

Court Disposition

Violation of Article 10 and Article 6 found against Russia; judgment in favour of applicant companies.

Orders

  • Russian Federation to pay Google LLC and applicant companies compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage.
  • Russian Federation to ensure cessation of enforcement proceedings and penalties inconsistent with the Convention.