Russia fines Telegram $44,000 following penalties against Google, TikTok

A Moscow court has fined Telegram, the popular messaging app, 4 million rubles (approximately $44,000) for failing to block access to unspecified banned content.

The ruling was made on Aug. 13 by the Taganka district court, though the specific content in question was not disclosed.

Ruling against Telegram reported via Telegram

• The case was brought against Telegram after authorities found the platform did not comply with Russian laws requiring the restriction of access to certain prohibited materials.
• The press service of Moscow’s courts of common jurisdiction reported the ruling via its Telegram channel.

Russian battle against social media platforms

• This decision reflects ongoing actions by Russian authorities against foreign tech companies, with similar fines previously imposed on platforms like Google and TikTok for comparable infractions.
• The latest fine against Telegram is part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to regulate and monitor digital platforms operating within its borders.

Illegal activities conducted in Türkiye on Telegram

Russia is not the only country raising voices against Telegram. Telegram has been accused of becoming a “crime hub,” with channels openly engaging in illegal activities in Türkiye, including:

• Drug trafficking: Channels like “Drug Dealers” with nearly 19,000 subscribers facilitating drug sales.
• Prostitution, pedophilia: Explicit content, including child exploitation videos, reportedly sold for ₺5,000 to ₺50,000.

Ongoing efforts: Türkiye’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has issued over a thousand warnings to the messaging app Telegram.

• Despite multiple notifications to Telegram’s headquarters in the U.K., there has been no response, raising the possibility of a ban in Türkiye.