Russia has fined Reddit for the first time for failing to remove content that the country deems illegal. The fine, which amounts to 10% of Reddit’s annual revenue from Russian sources, is a huge blow to the social media platform. According to Reuters, this is Russia’s first time slamming Reddit with a fine. RIA, a Russian news agency reported that the content that Reddit failed to delete contains fake news about Russia’s military action in Ukraine. Russia has been scrutinizing the activities of popular sites like Wikimedia, Twitch, and Google. Now, with this fine, Reddit has joined the list.
Russia’s Internet Censorship
Russia has a history of internet censorship, with the government using a law passed in 2012 to block websites that contain illegal content. The law has been criticized for being overly broad and vague, allowing the government to block websites for various reasons.
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According to RIA, the court fined Reddit 2 million roubles which is about $20,365. Reddit is not the only website to get this sort of fine. Wikipedia was also fined 2 million roubles for not deleting fake news regarding its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Since the start of the Russian – Ukraine war, Russia has been critical of media reports regarding the war, Reuters reported. It now has new and very tough punishments for posting any fake news about its military action in Ukraine.
Reddit’s Response
Reddit has a general response to such a situation. The company has always said that it will comply with local laws and regulations. It also said that it will not chicken out when it believes that the government policy is not justified. However, about this fine from Russia, there is no specific comment. Reuters also reported that there is no comment to request comments from Reddit.
Final Words
The fine against Reddit is a reminder that social media platforms must be aware of the laws and regulations in the countries where they operate. While it is important to respect local laws, brands must also be vigilant in pushing back against government censorship when it is unjustified.
And the fine was justified for propaganda.