Instead Of Getting A Bigger Penalty, Facebook Chooses To Pay A Fine From The Russian Government

Facebook fears a bigger fine from Russia. (photo credit: pixabay)

JAKARTA - Facebook has paid a fine of 17 million rubles (Rp3.2 billion) in Russia for failing to remove content deemed illegal by Moscow. This report was submitted by the Interfax news agency on Sunday 19 December, after the threat of a potentially larger fine if not paid.

Facebook parent Meta, along with Alphabet's Google, face a court case next week for alleged repeated violations of Russian content laws and could be fined a percentage of its annual revenue in Russia.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Sunday.

Russia in October sent state judicial officers to enforce the collection of a 17 million ruble fine imposed on Facebook. Interfax said there were no further enforcement proceedings against the company on Sunday, citing a federal bailiff service database.

Moscow has stepped up pressure on big tech companies this year in a campaign that critics have characterized as an attempt by Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet, something they say threatens to stifle individual and corporate freedoms.

Interfax said the messaging app Telegram had also paid a fine of 15 million rubles. Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.