19-05-2025
Russia Fines Apple $131,000 for ‘LGBT Propaganda' and Content Violations
A Moscow court has fined Apple a total of 10.5 million rubles (approximately $131,000) for alleged violations of Russia's ban on 'LGBT propaganda' and for failing to delete prohibited content at the request of government censors.
The rulings were issued on May 19 by the Tagansky District Court,
Over the course of the afternoon, Judge Alexandra Anokhina issued four separate fines against Apple Distribution International Ltd., per Mediazona.
Three of the penalties—each totaling 2.5 million rubles (roughly $31,000)—were levied under rules Russia adopted in 2023 that criminalize the dissemination of material deemed to promote 'non-traditional sexual relations.' A fourth fine, for 3 million rubles (around $37,400), was imposed over Apple's alleged failure to delete online content that violated Russian information laws. No further details of the claims were released, with most of the proceedings closed to the press and public.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the rulings.
The move marks the most significant legal action to date against Apple under Russia's recently expanded censorship laws.
'LGBT Propaganda' Ban
Russia in 2023
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At the time, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the measure, calling it a 'blow to freedom of expression.'
In response to criticism from U.S. officials, the Russian embassy in Washington accused the West of trying to 'impose pseudo-liberal and perverted ideas about human rights on other countries.'
The 2023 law builds on earlier restrictions dating back to 2013, when Russia first banned 'LGBT propaganda' targeting minors. Since then, the law has been used to outlaw public 'gay pride' events and detain pro-LGBT activists.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, backed by the Russian Orthodox Church, has repeatedly said LGBT advocacy—particularly the concept of 'gender fluidity'—is a threat to Russia's cultural and moral stability.
On several occasions, he has said that such notions were evidence of 'moral decay,' accusing the West of imposing 'alien ideologies' on the rest of the world.
'Western elites believe they can impose strange ideas on their people, such as the existence of dozens of genders,' the Russian leader declared in October 2022. 'But they have no right to tell others to follow in their footsteps.'
Apple in Crosshairs
Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Apple has increasingly come under pressure from Russian regulators.
Apple's transparency reports show an increase in compliance with Russian takedown requests. In 2023, Apple
Amid criticism that it is submitting to censorship requests, Apple defended its actions in a
The company suggested that maintaining some presence in Russia helped preserve access to communication tools—a position it said helped support 'democratic principles' and was in line with informal guidance from the U.S. government.
The Moscow court's rulings come as Apple also faces mounting regulatory scrutiny in other parts of the world.
In April, the European Commission, for example,
Meanwhile, Apple has accelerated its shift away from reliance on China by
Adam Morrow and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
