Moscow courts continue to issue administrative rulings against major foreign internet platforms that, according to Russian authorities, fail to comply with requirements to restrict access to information. In recent weeks, both the Telegram messenger and Google corporation have received new fines. Both cases were reviewed based on Article 13.41 (Part 2) of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, which establishes online service liability for non-compliance with legislation on restricting access to information.

Telegram: 14.6 Million Rubles for Three Violations

The court fined Telegram a total of 14.6 million rubles (approximately $180,000 USD) across three separate administrative cases. One violation—amounting to 3.8 million rubles—stems from the platform's failure to delete the book 'Alphabet of Domestic Terrorism', a document classified by Russian authorities as extremist. Two additional fines of 3.8 million and 7 million rubles were issued for failing to remove other content banned from distribution in Russia.

Recruitment into the 'Freedom of Russia Legion'

Part of the sanctions against Telegram are linked to the service's failure to remove materials concerning recruitment into the so-called 'Freedom of Russia Legion' from certain channels. This organization has been designated as a terrorist group by Russian authorities, and its activities are banned within the country. According to Roskomnadzor, such publications violate the law, and the platform's refusal to delete them entails administrative liability.

Telegram's Accumulated Debt Exceeds 45 Million Rubles

Judicial fines against the messenger are accumulating: according to available data, the total amount of unpaid fines against Telegram in Russia already exceeds 45 million rubles (approximately $556,000 USD). The regular issuance of new rulings indicates that the conflict between the platform and regulatory bodies remains unresolved and is likely to continue.

Google Fined 3.8 Million Rubles

The Tagansky District Court of Moscow fined Google an additional 3.8 million rubles (approximately $46,900 USD) for failing to remove content that, according to authorities, discredits the Russian armed forces and state institutions and is capable of destabilizing the situation in the country. The judge noted that the company hosted copyright-infringing materials on one of its platforms and failed to comply with a removal request issued by Roskomnadzor.

Prolonged Legal Dispute and the Question of Market Return

This is not the first time Google has faced sanctions in Russia: previously, numerous administrative lawsuits were filed against the company concerning YouTube videos that authorities claimed promoted non-traditional sexual relations or discredited the army. The new fines are part of a protracted legal dispute between the corporation and Russian authorities. It is believed that Google's potential return to the Russian market largely depends on whether the company complies with local court decisions.