Russia: Roskomnadzor initiates administrative proceedings against Facebook for failing to remove illegal content

On 4 October 2021, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, Roskomnadzor, initiated an administrative protocol against Facebook (now Meta Platforms) for failing to restrict access to illegal content. According to Article 13.41, which was added to the Code of Administrative Offenses on 30 December 2020, online platforms have to restrict access and delete materials classified as illegal in Russia. Roskomnadzor alleges that Facebook refused to delete more than 2'000 flagged materials. The case will be submitted to the Magistrate's Court of Moscow and if a violation of the law is found, Facebook risks an administrative fine ranging between 5% and 10% of it’s annual turnover.