MOSCOW, January 27 (RAPSI) – Social networks Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki and YouTube video hosting service will be fined for failure to prevent distribution of calls for participation in the illegal January 23 rally targeted at minors, according to a statement of Russia’s communications agency Roskomnadzor.

The Internet platforms did not delete in due time about 170 unlawful pleas despite the demand of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the statement reads.

According to the Code on Administrative Offences, breaching of the requirements to restrict access to the banned information is punishable by fines ranging from 800,000 to 4 million rubles for legal entities. 

The watchdog also asked the social media platforms to refrain from disseminating information containing calls for participation in illegal events.