WhatsApp Fined in Russia for First Time Over Banned Content, Wikimedia Foundation Also Penalized

MOSCOW, June 1 – A Russian court imposed a fine of three million roubles ($37,080) on WhatsApp, the popular messaging service, on Thursday for failing to delete banned content. This marks the first time the platform faces penalties for this offense in Russia.

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), was labeled an “extremist” organization by Moscow last year. Although the messenger app is widely used in Russia, it had not been previously fined for not removing prohibited information. Other Meta services such as Facebook and Instagram, both now banned in Russia, as well as Twitter and Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google, have faced similar fines over content.

In the past, WhatsApp has been penalized for allegedly refusing to comply with Russian data law and not storing Russian users’ data on servers within the country. The RIA news agency reported that the fine imposed on Thursday was due to WhatsApp’s refusal to remove information about the drug Lyrica, the sale and manufacture of which are prohibited in Russia. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside U.S. business hours.

In addition, the court fined the Wikimedia Foundation, owner of Wikipedia, three million roubles for not removing what Russia considers “false information” about Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. Wikimedia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The foundation has previously stated that the information Russian authorities complained about was well-sourced and complied with Wikipedia standards.

The disputes between Moscow and Big Tech over content, censorship, data, and local representation have intensified since Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

$1 = 80.9100 roubles