19-5-2023 (Moscow) – Instant messaging service WhatsApp is facing a potential fine of up to 4 million roubles (approximately $50,120) after Russia accused the platform of not removing prohibited content, according to a report from state-owned news agency RIA. The accusation comes from a Moscow court, highlighting the legal challenge the popular messenger app now faces.
While WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta Platforms Inc, was previously banned in Russia due to being labeled an “extremist” organization, the messenger app itself, which enjoys widespread popularity in the country, has not encountered legal action for non-compliance with content removal requests before.
The RIA report does not specify the exact nature of the content that WhatsApp allegedly failed to delete. The administrative case was filed by Roskomnadzor, the communications regulator in Russia.
Russia has recently implemented strict military censorship laws during its military campaign in Ukraine. As a result, various technology companies, including Google, Wikipedia, and Discord, have faced fines for non-compliance with content regulations.
