Russia fines Telegram, Viber for refusing to remove 32 fake news channels about the conflict

June 20, 2023 21:00

Telegram was fined more than $47,500 and Viber was fined nearly $12,000 for refusing to remove several channels that reported fake and misleading information about Russia's special military campaign in Ukraine.

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According to Russia's TASS news agency, on June 20, a court in Moscow fined the messaging app Telegram 4 million rubles ($47,520) for refusing to remove 32 news channels that reported fake and misleading information about Russia's special military campaign in Ukraine.

Additionally, the messaging app's parent company has refused to remove certain channels through which users have been scammed and blackmailed.

On the same day, the court also fined messaging app Viber 1 million rubles (about 11,880 USD) on similar charges.

In recent years, Russia has frequently fined foreign technology companies for failing to comply with its laws.

Most recently, on June 6, a court in this country fined the Wikimedia Foundation, the owner of Wikipedia, 3 million rubles for refusing to remove an article about Ukraine's Azov Battalion, which has been outlawed by Russia.

On June 1, a Russian court also fined messaging service WhatsApp, owned by its parent company Meta Platforms, 3 million rubles for failing to remove banned content. This is the first time the app has been fined in Russia for such a violation.

Earlier this year, the Tagansky District Court in Moscow (Russia) fined live streaming service company Twitch for posting false information about Russia's special military operation in Ukraine with a fine of 4 million rubles, equivalent to 57,000 USD.

According to VNA

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Russia fines Telegram, Viber for refusing to remove 32 fake news channels about the conflict