Russia's state communications watchdog said earlier in the day that the popular messaging app would face further restrictions from authorities because it failed to correct previous violations.
Then on Wednesday, a Russian court fined the messaging app around 11 million rubles (€119,500, $142,400) for refusing to remove banned content authorities regard as extremist, according to the state-run RIA Novosti.
Users reported slow traffic and lagging downloads throughout Tuesday as Russia moved to tighten controls on the key channel for both public and private communication in the country.
1 comment