Russia Fines Apple Over Alleged Violations of LGBT Propaganda Laws

Last Updated May - 20 - 2025, 12:35 PM | Source : Fela News

A Russian court has fined Apple $130,000 for alleged breaches of LGBT propaganda laws and failure to restrict illegal content. Hearings were held behind closed

A Russian court has imposed fines totaling 10.5 million roubles (approximately $130,483) on U.S. tech company Apple in four separate administrative cases, according to the Moscow courts' press office. Three of the cases involved alleged violations of Russia’s laws against promoting what it refers to as LGBT propaganda.

In 2023, Russia expanded its restrictions on promoting “non-traditional sexual relations” as part of a broader suppression of LGBT rights. President Vladimir Putin has framed this as a rejection of what he sees as Western moral decline. The Tagansky Court ruled that Apple Distribution International Ltd committed three offenses under these laws, issuing fines of 2.5 million roubles each. An additional 3 million-rouble fine was issued for Apple’s reported failure to limit access to unspecified content considered illegal by Russian authorities.

Apple has not responded to requests for comment. According to Mediazona, Apple’s legal representative requested that the hearings be held behind closed doors, leaving the specific details of the cases unclear. Russia has labeled the “international LGBT movement” as extremist and those associated with it as terrorists, significantly escalating legal risks for LGBT individuals and supporters. Similar fines have previously been issued to streaming platforms and entertainment executives under the same law.