In a recent legal development, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow has sanctioned tech giant Apple with a fine of 10.5 million rubles, approximately $130,000, in light of several charges relating to LGBTQA+ “propaganda”. The charges leveled against Apple comprise three instances of disseminating material deemed as promoting LGBTQA+ content and one related to the refusal to eliminate such content from its services. This legal action is grounded in Article 6.21 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, which defines LGBTQA+ “propaganda” as promoting “non-traditional sexual relations” among minors and creating the perception of equality between traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships.
This imposition is part of a broader escalation in legal measures by Russian authorities targeting the LGBTQA+ community. Noteworthy is that this marks the first such action against Apple regarding LGBTQA+ issues. Previously, Apple faced fines from the Moscow District Court in 2024 for failing to remove content criticized as potentially destabilizing within Russia. The fining of Apple this time signifies an intensifying crackdown on materials related to the LGBTQA+ community as exemplified by a recent wave of legal interventions.
This regulatory stance is further reflected in other cases, such as those involving individuals penalized for sharing images considered symbolic of LGBTQA+ support. For instance, fines were imposed for posting a picture with Pepe the Frog in a rainbow wig, and a recent instance involved a young woman jailed for wearing earrings depicting a rainbow frog. A court expert testified that such symbols undermine traditional family values, even as rainbows themselves remain legally permissible in Russia. For more information, you can read the full article on Jurist.
The publishing sector in Russia is also encountering increased scrutiny as demonstrated by Eksmo, a major publisher, which is navigating a significant legal battle. After acquiring Popcorn Books, which was known for LGBTQA+ young adult novels, several individuals linked to various publishing firms have been arrested. Eksmo has been proactive in mitigating risk, currently recalling and asking for the destruction of specific book titles from their inventory that are potentially problematic under current regulations.