The court of district No. 374 in Tagansky, Moscow, issued a substantial fine against the Telegram messenger, amounting to 4 million rubles. The penalty followed Telegram’s reported failure to adhere to directives issued by Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal communications watchdog. The ruling appeared on the official Telegram channel representing Moscow’s general jurisdiction courts.
The decision states that Telegram Messenger Inc. is deemed guilty of an administrative offense under Article 19.7.10-4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. This article addresses the responsibility of owners of social networks to comply with orders issued by the federal executive body charged with oversight of media, mass media, information technology, and communications. The decision document indicates that a 4 million ruble penalty will be sought from the company as a consequence of noncompliance.
In mid-2023, the State Duma passed legislation outlining fines for social networks and instant messaging services that fail to meet their obligations. The new framework specifies that violations can result in fines ranging from 4 to 6 million rubles, signaling a tougher stance on compliance with regulatory directives.
Telegram is recognized as the precursor to the broader company bearing the same name, which was founded by Russian programmer and entrepreneur Pavel Durov. The platform has grown into a global messaging service with a focus on privacy and secure communication, earning a significant user base across multiple regions.
Earlier, versions of WhatsApp included features that allowed sending photos and videos in their original quality, a detail that underscores the ongoing evolution of messaging apps and their handling of media transmission and quality preservation in different markets.