Moscow, April 9, 2025: A Russian court has fined the popular messaging app Telegram seven million rubles (about $80,000). This action came after Telegram refused to remove content inciting terrorist attacks and anti-government protests. The country’s state news agency TASS reported the decision on Tuesday, which has once again highlighted the tension between digital platforms and the Russian government.
Court decision: Strictness on extremist content
The Tagansky District Court of Moscow clearly stated in its documents, “Telegram Messenger Inc., which owns an information resource, showed failure to remove content or channels promoting extremist activities.” According to TASS, these channels appealed to join demonstrations to overthrow the Russian government and terrorist attacks on railway transport in support of the Ukrainian army. The court considered it a threat to national security and fined Telegram.

“This is not the first time Telegram has come under fire from the Russian authorities. But this time the case is serious, because it involves questions of terrorism and anti-government activities,” explains Dmitry Kovalev, a Moscow-based freelance journalist. He says the decision could be part of Russia’s growing digital control.

Telegram’s silence and Pavel Durov’s controversy

Reuters sought an immediate response from Telegram on the matter, but the Dubai-based platform has not yet responded. Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who is of Russian origin, has previously been in controversy for his privacy policies. His arrest in France in August 2024 last year made headlines, when he was accused of fraud, money laundering and spreading illegal content through Telegram. After being in custody for months, he returned to Dubai in March 2025.

“I think this is what makes Telegram so challenging—privacy and low censorship—it’s a challenge for governments. But it’s also the reason for its popularity among users,” says Delhi-based cyber expert Ananya Sharma. Telegram has nearly a billion users, and is very popular in former Soviet countries, including Russia and Ukraine.

Russia’s digital pressure: An old pattern

Russia’s confrontation with Telegram is not new. In 2022, a Moscow court fined Telegram $64,770 for not removing content related to the Ukraine war. At that time, the government had termed it ‘illegal content’. Experts believe that the Kremlin is trying to strengthen its grip on social media, especially when the voices of dissent are increasing in the country.

“The Russian government is constantly taking steps to control digital platforms. Apps like Telegram, which emphasize encryption, pose the biggest problem for them,” explains cyber policy analyst Alexander Belov. He says that this fine may be just the beginning.

Impact on users: What do people say?

Telegram users in Russia are surprised by this decision. Ivan Petrov, a 28-year-old student from Moscow, says, “Telegram is a means for me to connect with news and friends. If it goes on the path of censorship, we will have to find another way.” At the same time, some users consider it necessary for national security. “If a channel is promoting terrorism, it should be removed. But there is also a fear that it may be misused,” said Ekaterina, a teacher from St. Petersburg.

What next?

Telegram has the option to challenge this decision, but it is not yet clear what action the company will take. This conflict between increasing digital control in Russia and Telegram’s privacy policy may deepen further in the coming days. Experts believe that if Telegram continues to refuse to remove content, the government may also move towards banning it completely—although such a step may lead to massive public protest.

For now, this fine is a warning not just for Telegram, but for all digital platforms that want to maintain their presence in Russia. It remains to be seen whether this case will affect Telegram’s independent image, or whether it will emerge stronger among users.