A Moscow court has imposed a fine of 7 million roubles (roughly $80,000) on Telegram Messenger Inc. for failing to remove content that Russian authorities consider extremist, according to a report by state news agency TASS on Tuesday.
Court documents referenced by TASS reveal that Telegram was fined for not removing channels and posts that reportedly incited terrorist attacks and promoted participation in anti-government protests seeking to overthrow 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.
The flagged content reportedly included calls for attacks on railway infrastructure in support of Ukrainian forces and efforts to incite unrest within Russia. The court’s ruling underscores the Kremlin’s ongoing push to tighten control over digital platforms and crack down on content deemed a threat to national security.
Telegram, the popular messaging and social media platform founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Now based in Dubai, the platform has nearly one billion users and remains widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics.
The fine adds to the increasing scrutiny surrounding Telegram and its founder.
In March 2025, Durov returned to Dubai after several months in France, following his arrest and investigation in August 2024.
He was reportedly detained over allegations including fraud, money laundering, and the platform’s alleged involvement in spreading child sexual abuse content.
Telegram has long emphasized its commitment to privacy and freedom of expression, but its perceived lack of content moderation continues to draw criticism from governments worldwide.
In Russia, where state control over media has grown stronger in recent years, these tensions are expected to intensify as authorities demand stricter compliance from global tech companies.
