Russia Fines Telegram for Hosting Restricted Content
MOSCOW – A Moscow court has imposed a fine of 7 million rubles (approximately $67,000) on the messaging platform Telegram for allegedly providing access to banned content, local media reported on Monday.
The court determined that Telegram had violated Russian regulations by allowing restricted material to remain accessible on its platform. This action is part of a broader campaign by Russian authorities to enforce compliance with their content restrictions on digital platforms.
Telegram is the latest in a series of global tech companies to face fines in Russia over similar issues. Earlier this month, Apple was fined after refusing to remove two podcasts deemed unacceptable by Russian regulators.
This follows a pattern of penalties targeting major international platforms. In 2021, Facebook was fined $230,000 for failing to delete content labeled illegal by Moscow, while other companies like Google and TikTok have also faced penalties in recent years.
Russia’s crackdown on digital platforms has intensified as it seeks to tighten control over online content within its borders. Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and control information, while the government defends them as necessary measures to protect its laws and public safety.
The fines signal the challenges faced by tech companies operating in Russia, as they navigate a complex environment balancing legal obligations with broader concerns over freedom of expression.
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