Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million rubles ($432,366 USD) on the messaging app Telegram for failing to remove prohibited content, according to a report by the Russian Interfax news agency on Monday.

 

Authorities have repeatedly accused Telegram, one of the most popular messaging platforms in Russia, of allowing the service to be used as a platform for disseminating illegal and extremist content.

 

Telegram denies these charges, accusing Russia of attempting to restrict its services to force users to switch to a government-backed application called "MAX," according to Reuters.