Russian court fines tech giants over banned content

A Russian court has fined Apple, Google, Telegram and the Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, a combined total of 26.3 million roubles (approximately $318,000) for failing to remove prohibited content.

The Tagansky District Court in Moscow ruled on cases brought against the companies and organisation.

The court ordered the Wikimedia Foundation to pay a fine of 15.2 million roubles, Google and Telegram to pay 3.8 million roubles each, and Apple to pay 3.5 million roubles, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

The fines were imposed for failing to remove content banned in Russia. The case against Telegram reportedly concerned posts containing information deemed false about the Russian Armed Forces.

The hearing involving Apple was held behind closed doors, reportedly due to concerns that confidential company information could be disclosed.

The companies and organisation have previously faced fines in Russia for failing to remove prohibited content and comply with the country's legal requirements.

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