A Moscow court has fined Telegram Messenger Inc. 7 million roubles (roughly $80,000) for failing to remove content labeled as extremist by Russian authorities, according to a report from state news agency TASS on Tuesday.

Court documents cited by TASS state that Telegram was penalized for not deleting channels and posts that allegedly encouraged terrorist activities and called for participation in anti-government demonstrations aimed at toppling the Russian government.

“Telegram Messenger Inc., as the owner of an information platform, failed to remove materials containing calls for extremist actions,” the court stated.

Some of the targeted content reportedly promoted sabotage against railway infrastructure in support of Ukrainian military efforts and encouraged civil unrest within Russia. The ruling is part of a broader push by the Kremlin to exert tighter control over online platforms and suppress digital content it views as a threat to national security.

Telegram, the messaging platform founded by Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Now headquartered in Dubai, the app boasts nearly one billion global users and remains a dominant communication tool across Russia, Ukraine, and several post-Soviet states.

The fine comes amid increasing scrutiny of both Telegram and its founder. In March 2025, Durov returned to Dubai after several months in France following his arrest in August 2024. He was reportedly under investigation for allegations including fraud, money laundering, and the platform’s alleged role in the spread of child sexual abuse material.

Telegram has built its brand on privacy and freedom of expression, but critics argue its hands-off approach to content moderation has made it a haven for harmful and illegal activity. As Russia intensifies its control over digital media, friction between the state and global tech companies like Telegram is expected to grow.