A Moscow court has fined Telegram Messenger Inc. 7 million roubles (approximately $80,000) for failing to remove content deemed extremist by Russian authorities, state news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.
According to court documents cited by TASS, Telegram was penalised for not taking down channels and posts that allegedly called for terrorist attacks and encouraged participation in anti-government protests aimed at overthrowing the Russian government.
“Telegram Messenger Inc., being the owner of an information resource, failed to remove information or channels containing calls for extremist activity,” the court stated.
Some of the flagged content reportedly promoted attacks on railway infrastructure in support of Ukrainian forces, as well as incited unrest within Russia’s borders. The court’s decision reflects ongoing efforts by the Kremlin to tighten control over digital platforms and clamp down on content it classifies as a threat to national security.
Telegram, a widely used messaging and social media platform founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The platform, now headquartered in Dubai, boasts nearly one billion users and remains popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics.
The fine adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding Telegram and its founder. In March 2025, Durov returned to Dubai after spending several months in France, following his August 2024 arrest and investigation. He was reportedly detained in connection with a range of allegations including fraud, money laundering, and the platform’s alleged role in disseminating child sexual abuse content.
While Telegram has long prided itself on its commitment to privacy and freedom of expression, the platform’s perceived lack of content moderation continues to attract criticism from governments around the world. In Russia, where state control over media has intensified in recent years, such tensions are likely to escalate further as authorities push for stricter compliance from global tech companies.
Melissa Enoch
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