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Russia Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Apple slapped with $93,000 LGBTQ propaganda fine in Russia
A Moscow court on Monday fined US tech giant Apple 7.5 million rubles ($93,000) for violating Russian laws against spreading LGBTQ propaganda. In April, the company was accused of breaching Part 3 of Article 6.21 of Russia's Administrative Violations Code, which covers online promotion of non-traditional sexual relations and preferences, gender reassignment, and child-free ideology. In a statement posted on Telegram, court officials said Moscow's Tagansky Court has 'found Apple Distribution International Ltd. guilty of three administrative offences' under Article 6.21 and imposed a fine of over $30,000 for each violation. The case stems from the distribution of a television series on Apple's streaming platform that included scenes promoting non-traditional sexual relations, RBK business outlet reported, citing statements by Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor. The hearing was held behind closed doors due to what was described as confidential information related to the company's services and internal communications. No further details were disclosed by the court or the parties involved. Russia has tightened its laws dealing with LGBTQ propaganda over the past decade. In 2013, the dissemination of related content among minors was banned, with the restrictions broadened to cover adults in 2022. Last year, the country designated the LGBTQ movement as a terrorist organization. In a separate Monday ruling, the Tagansky Court fined Apple more than $37,000 for failing to delete content deemed illegal under Russian law. The company has faced similar penalties in the past, including a $10,000 fine in January of 2024 for failing to remove Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's book, 'Mein Kampf,' which is listed as extremist material in Russia, from its Apple Books application.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Russian court fines Apple for violating 'LGBT propaganda' law
May 19 (Reuters) - A Russian court has fined U.S. tech giant Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab 7.5 million roubles ($93,500) for three separate breaches of Russian rules on what Moscow calls LGBT propaganda, the Moscow courts' press office said on Monday. Russia in 2023 widened restrictions on the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" amid a broader crackdown on LGBT rights, which President Vladimir Putin has sought to portray as evidence of moral decay in Western countries. Moscow's Tagansky Court found Apple Distribution International Ltd. guilty of three administrative offences, ordering that three fines of 2.5 million roubles each be paid. Apple did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Apple's representative in court had requested that the hearings be closed to the public, the Mediazona news outlet reported, meaning that the root of each dispute was not known. Russia has designated the "international LGBT movement" as extremist and those supporting it as terrorists, paving the way for serious criminal cases against LGBT people and their advocates. Russian courts have issued fines, opens new tab for those that violate the "LGBT propaganda" law, including online film distributors and executives. ($1 = 80.2205 roubles)
