Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said Tuesday that advertising on online platforms restricted by authorities, including Telegram, YouTube and Instagram, violates national advertising laws.
The announcement follows requests from lawmakers in the State Duma for clarification after reports emerged that some users had received fines for posting advertisements on Telegram.
In a statement, the FAS said the restriction stems from measures introduced by Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, which has limited access to several foreign online platforms.
According to the agency, these restrictions were imposed for multiple reasons, including accusations of extremism, concerns over data protection and claims that platform owners are failing to adequately moderate illegal content.
“Given that Roskomnadzor is restricting access to the social networks Instagram and Facebook, the video hosting service YouTube, VPN services and the messengers Telegram and WhatsApp, advertising on these platforms is considered a violation of advertising laws,” the FAS said.
The agency added that any platform subject to access restrictions automatically falls under the advertising ban.
Officials warned that individuals or businesses that ignore the rule could face fines of up to 500,000 rubles, or about $6,300.
Restrictions extend beyond Telegram
The FAS had already indicated last week that advertisers and content creators could face penalties for placing ads on Telegram. However, Tuesday’s statement clarified that the interpretation of the law applies to any online platform targeted by access restrictions.
Roskomnadzor, which has gradually limited some Telegram features since August, previously suggested that advertising on the messaging platform could be illegal but did not provide detailed guidance.
The new clarification follows pressure from lawmakers seeking legal clarity about potential penalties for users promoting products or services on Telegram.
Authorities in Moscow claim the messaging app has been used by criminal and terrorist groups and by Western intelligence agencies to destabilise Russia.
Telegram has denied those allegations and accused Russian authorities of attempting to justify tighter restrictions to push users toward the state-backed messaging application Max.
