Russian authorities file administrative charges against executives of major streaming platforms over alleged LGBTQ+ propaganda violations.
Court filings omit specific content behind accusations, raising questions about enforcement standards and transparency. Mediazona reported Wednesday that police submitted the cases to a Moscow arbitration court earlier this week.
Records list services including Kinopoisk, Wink, Ivi, Amediteka, 24TV, Digital Television, and Beeline TV. However, the documents do not specify which films or shows allegedly violated the law.
Executives face repeated penalties. Several companies previously paid fines for distributing content authorities label as promoting non-traditional relationships and lifestyles.
Kinopoisk CEO Alexander Dunayevsky and Wink chief Vyacheslav Popov have each received at least four penalties. Ivi deputy CEO Ivan Grinin has also accumulated multiple fines for similar alleged violations.
By contrast, 24TV CEO Vladislav Dubrov and Digital Television program director Alexei Bernat face first-time accusations. Authorities charged Bernat specifically with exposing minors to prohibited LGBTQ+ propaganda, according to the filing.
Meanwhile, enforcement intensified after President Vladimir Putin expanded the law in 2022 to restrict any public display. Regulators have since issued heavy fines against platforms as companies adjust catalogs and moderation practices. In 2023, the Supreme Court escalated pressure by labeling the supposed international LGBT movement as extremist. The latest cases underscore continuing legal risk for executives as scrutiny expands across Russia’s digital entertainment sector.
Consequently, lawyers say vague standards allow selective enforcement, which can chill creative expression and complicate compliance. Moreover, platform owners increasingly invest in automated filters and legal reviews to reduce exposure to penalties.
Still, critics argue the policy lacks clarity and disproportionately targets cultural content without demonstrating concrete harm. For now, the court will determine procedures, timelines, and potential outcomes as the administrative cases proceed.
