A Moscow court has fined streaming service Twitch Interactive 41.8 million rubles for repeatedly failing to comply with legal obligations required of foreign internet companies operating in Russia.
The court decision also targeted the Wikimedia Foundation, ordering the organisation to pay an administrative fine of 10 million rubles for identical regulatory non-compliance, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.
According to the press service of the Moscow City Court, both foreign corporations were found guilty under Part 3 of Article 13.49 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The statutory provision governs the mandatory legal duties of overseas technology platforms operating on Russian territory.
In an official statement, the court press service stated that Twitch Interactive, Inc. and Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. were found guilty of committing administrative violations, resulting in fines of more than 41.8 million rubles and 10 million rubles respectively.
Foreign Internet Regulation
Twitch Interactive, Inc. is an American live streaming video platform and subsidiary of Amazon, primarily known for broadcasting esports tournaments, video games, and digital content to global audiences. The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is an American non-profit organisation based in San Francisco, California, that hosts Wikipedia and other collaborative reference projects.
Russian administrative legislation governing foreign internet companies requires overseas digital services operating in Russia to fulfill statutory obligations regarding local representation and regulatory compliance. Repeated non-compliance with these legal obligations carries escalating monetary penalties enforced through Moscow judicial courts.
Previous Court Rulings
The latest legal penalties follow prior administrative enforcement actions carried out against other international technology companies operating in the country. Previously, the magistrate court of the Tagansky district of Moscow fined video service Zoom almost 66 million rubles after finding the company guilty of committing the exact same administrative offense.
Zoom Video Communications is an American communications technology firm providing videotelephony, online chat, and software services globally. The Tagansky district court in Moscow regularly adjudicates administrative compliance proceedings and legal disputes involving foreign digital services operating in the Russian Federation.
