Telegram Fined for Failing to Filter Extremist Content
A court in Moscow has fined the messaging platform Telegram 7 million rubles (approximately $80,000), according to Russian news agency TASS. The penalty was imposed for Telegram's failure to remove messages and channels allegedly calling for the overthrow of the Russian government and participation in terrorist activities, Reuters reported.
“The platform failed to remove information and channels encouraging extremist activities,” the court stated.
TASS further reported that some of the flagged content included calls to join anti-government protests in Russia and incitements to carry out terrorist attacks on railway infrastructure in support of Ukrainian forces.
Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters regarding the ruling.
Founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov and currently based in Dubai, Telegram is nearing one billion users globally. The platform enjoys widespread popularity in Russia, Ukraine, and across other former Soviet states.
