WhatsApp Fined IDR 769 Million In Russia For Failing To Remove Prohibited Content

JAKARTA - The WhatsApp messaging service faces a maximum fine of 4 million rubles (around Rp. 769 million) after the Russian government accused it of failing to remove banned content. This was reported by the state-owned news agency, RIA, on Friday, May 19 citing a court decision in Moscow.

Although WhatsApp's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc, was banned in Russia as an "extremist" organization last year, Russia's highly popular messaging app has never previously faced with legal action for failing to remove banned information.

The RIA report did not explain what information was not deleted by WhatsApp. It was reported that the administrative case was filed by Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor.

At the start of its military campaign in Ukraine, Russia imposed strict military censorship laws in which technology companies including Google, Wikipedia, and Discord had been fined.