Accessibility links

Breaking News

Business and Technology

Google Russia Bails Out

FILE: Image of screen showing Google in Russian (Undated)
FILE: Image of screen showing Google in Russian (Undated)

Internet giant Google says it is filing for bankruptcy and shutting down its Russian operation citing Moscow's seizure of its financial assets there.

California-based Alphabet Inc. says it plans to put its Russian Google operation into bankruptcy after Moscow took its Russian-based bank accounts.

Google says that without cash, it cannot continue there.

Ahead of the bankruptcy filing, Google issued a statement saying Moscow's move "has made it untenable for our Russia office to function, including paying Russia-based employees, paying suppliers and vendors, and meeting other financial obligations."

In March, the company ended providing cloud computing to customers and selling advertising in the wave of western corporate pull-outs from Russia following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

While the Google Russia operation may be shuttered, certain services will continue. Russians will still be able to access Google services such as Gmail, Maps, Search, YouTube, and Android - an operating system for mobiles and tablets.

But there's a catch. Since its bank accounts are seized, Russians won't be able to purchase apps despite its Play store remaining open.

Before the bank account take-away, Google had prior scrapes with Moscow. In April, a Russian court ordered the seizure of 500 million rubles - about $7 million U.S. dollars then - over restrictions Alphabet imposed on a Russian TV entity's content placed on YouTube, said to be the most popular social network in that nation.

See all News Updates of the Day

Africa News Tonight: DRC, US in talks on trade and security, concerns of civil war risk in South Sudan, tariff talk rattles stock markets

Africa News Tonight: DRC, US in talks on trade and security, concerns of civil war risk in South Sudan, tariff talk rattles stock markets
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Summit focuses on Africa energy, WFP warns of hunger in southern Africa, UNICEF says fighters in Sudan assault children

Africa News Tonight: Summit focuses on Africa energy, WFP warns of hunger in southern Africa, UNICEF says fighters in Sudan assault children
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:56 0:00

Africa News Tonight: DRC president rejects talks with M23, Trump addresses Congress, US auto tariffs may shake up Nigerian car market

Africa News Tonight: DRC president rejects talks with M23, Trump addresses Congress, US auto tariffs may shake up Nigerian car market
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Tunisia breaks with IMF, Nigeria reviews anti-terrorism plans, Israelis mourn deaths as ceasefire deadline approaches

Africa News Tonight: Tunisia breaks with IMF, Nigeria reviews anti-terrorism plans, Israelis mourn deaths as ceasefire deadline approaches
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:47 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Debt relief on G20 finance ministers’ agenda, US risks losing business in Africa, MSF closes operations in Sudan camp

Africa News Tonight: Debt relief on G20 finance ministers’ agenda, US risks losing business in Africa, MSF closes operations in Sudan camp
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Mahama officially declared Ghana winner, no clear leadership in Syria, South African clothing tariffs please unions

Africa News Tonight: Mahama officially declared Ghana winner, no clear leadership in Syria, South African clothing tariffs please unions
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

South Sudan in Focus: Juba road ban worries boda boda drivers, Kenyan deputy president faces impeachment, data helps improve public services

South Sudan in Focus: Juba road ban worries boda boda drivers, Kenyan deputy president faces impeachment, data helps improve public services
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:29:56 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Saied dominates in Tunisia election, China drives into South Africa auto market, Kenyan runner suspended over drug test

Africa News Tonight: Saied dominates in Tunisia election, China drives into South Africa auto market, Kenyan runner suspended over drug test
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Displaced communities at risk of mpox, Tunisia’s Saied shakes up cabinet, sun-powered tractor debuts in Malawi

Africa News Tonight: Displaced communities at risk of mpox, Tunisia’s Saied shakes up cabinet, sun-powered tractor debuts in Malawi
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Restaurant with Robot Services Causes Excitement in Nairobi

Restaurant with Robot Services Causes Excitement in Nairobi
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:03:21 0:00

In Nairobi, a new restaurant is generating business and buzz – not just because of the food, but because of the staff. Robots serving dishes is the main attraction for diners who flock to the Robot Café. Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi, Kenya.

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG