A Moscow court has fined Apple $93,000 for violating Russian laws against spreading LGBTQ propaganda. The tech giant was found guilty of three administrative offenses under Article 6.21 of Russia’s Administrative Violations Code, which covers the online promotion of non-traditional sexual relations and preferences. The case stems from the distribution of a television series on Apple’s streaming platform that included scenes promoting non-traditional sexual relations.
According to court officials, the Tagansky Court imposed a fine of over $30,000 for each violation. The hearing was held behind closed doors due to confidential information related to the company’s services and internal communications. Russia has tightened its laws dealing with LGBTQ propaganda over the past decade, banning the dissemination of related content among minors in 2013 and broadening the restrictions to cover adults in 2022.
In a separate ruling, the Tagansky Court fined Apple more than $37,000 for failing to delete content deemed illegal under Russian law. This is not the first time the company has faced penalties in Russia. In January 2024, Apple was fined $10,000 for failing to remove Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s book, ‘Mein Kampf,’ from its Apple Books application. The book is listed as extremist material in Russia.
The Russian government has designated the LGBTQ movement as a terrorist organization, and the country’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has been actively enforcing laws against the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations. Apple’s streaming platform has been at the center of the controversy, with the company facing accusations of breaching Russian laws.
The fines imposed on Apple are a significant development in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ rights in Russia. The country’s laws have been criticized by human rights groups, who argue that they are discriminatory and restrictive. The international community has been watching the situation closely, with many calling for greater protections for LGBTQ individuals in Russia.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Apple and other tech companies will respond to the tightened laws in Russia. The company has faced similar challenges in other countries, and it will be important to monitor how it navigates these complex issues in the future. For now, the fines imposed by the Moscow court serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments over issues of free speech and social responsibility.
