Russia fines Telegram over illegal content

Russian authorities have fined Telegram 10.5 million rubles (approximately $127,000) for allegedly failing to remove prohibited content, local media reported Monday, according to EFE.

“The imposition of an administrative fine of 10.5 million rubles on Telegram Messenger Inc.,” states the ruling issued by the Tagansky District Court in Moscow, cited by Interfax.

On February 10, Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor said that Telegram continues to violate Russian legislation, and authorities will therefore continue its gradual blocking, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Additionally, the regulator requested the messaging service — widely used in Russia, where it recently had around 100 million users — to delete more than 35,060 pieces of illegal content, including material related to illegal pornography.

Authorities also demanded that Telegram remove 35,500 items related to VPN usage (tools used to hide a user’s real IP address) to access blocked websites in Russia.

In February, several Russian media outlets reported that Telegram could be fully blocked starting April 1. Authorities justify the move as an effort to reduce cases of recruitment for criminal activities carried out via the popular app.

Telegram’s owner, Pavel Durov, who is currently facing a criminal case, has accused Russian authorities of censoring freedom of expression.

Experts say it is very difficult to completely block the messaging service — something Russian authorities have attempted in the past but ultimately abandoned.

However, disruptions in its functionality could push many Telegram users toward alternative platforms promoted by the Russian state.