A court in Moscow has fined the messaging platform Telegram 14.6 million rubles for failing to remove prohibited content, state news agency TASS reported on August 12, 2026.
Judges found the platform guilty of violating Article 13.46 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Authorities issued three separate administrative violation protocols against the messaging service, bringing the total fine to 14.6 million rubles.
According to court documentation, Telegram failed to delete information concerning extremist organizations and train surfing. The platform also failed to restrict access to posts containing answers to the Unified State Examination.
Reasons for the administrative penalties
Russian authorities penalized the platform after finding published material offering answers for the Unified State Examination, the standardized testing system required for high school graduation and university admission in Russia. Officials also cited the platform for hosting posts promoting train surfing, a dangerous practice where individuals ride on the exterior of moving railway cars. Additionally, the service failed to remove posts associated with banned extremist organizations.
Telegram is a widely used cloud-based messaging application founded by entrepreneur Pavel Durov. The platform allows users to send messages, share files, and operate public channels that broadcast information to large subscriber networks across Russia and globally.
History of court fines against Telegram
The financial penalty follows earlier legal enforcement actions taken against Telegram in Moscow courts over digital content compliance. At the end of June 2026, the Tagansky Court of Moscow fined Telegram 3.5 million rubles after determining the platform failed to conduct mandatory monitoring of content prohibited under Russian law.
Prior to the June penalty, Russian courts levied another fine of 3.8 million rubles against the messaging service. That administrative action was imposed after Telegram refused to restrict user access to content that is illegal on Russian territory.
State regulation of internet platforms
Russian internet legislation requires social networks and messaging platforms operating in the country to remove blacklisted material upon official request. Technology companies that fail to delete restricted content within mandated timeframes face recurring administrative fines administered through Moscow district courts.
