Russia is fining American tech giant, Twitter the sum of ₽10 Million or US$136,173 for its refusal to delete content that the government deems illegal.
The verdict was made by a Moscow court on Thursday which makes it one of the string penalties against foreign tech companies operating in the far east-Europe country.
The country’s government has also slowed down Twitter’s speed since March to serve as a punishment due to a post containing child pornography, drug abuse information, or calls for minors to commit suicide, said Roskomnadzor, a communications regulator.
Twitter, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, denies allowing its platform to be used to promote illegal behavior.
- Advertisement -
In the case of Meta, the American social media giant got hit with ₽13 million or US$177,000 at the same Moscow court because of Facebook’s failure to delete content deemed illegal.
The Russian government’s campaign to pressurize big tech companies that are operating within its territories has been criticized as being an attempt to exert tighter control over the internet.
Some went as far as saying it threatens to stifle individual and corporate freedom in the country.
Meta also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
($1 = 73.4680 roubles)
