Russia fines Facebook, Telegram over banned content

A user holds a smartphone with an opened Facebook page in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 10, 2021. Russian authorities have ordered Facebook and messaging app Telegram to pay steep fines for failing to remove banned content. The move could be part of growing Russian efforts to tighten control over social media platforms. — AP

MOSCOW: Russian authorities on Thursday ordered Facebook and the messaging app Telegram to pay steep fines for failing to remove banned content, a move that could be part of growing government efforts to tighten control over social media platforms amid political dissent.

A Moscow court fined Facebook a total of 17 million rubles (roughly US$236,000/RM971,328) and Telegram 10 million rubles (US$139,000/RM572,096). It wasn't immediately clear what type of content the platforms failed to take down.