Russia has fined the Telegram messaging app 35 million roubles (nearly ₹4 crore) for failing to remove banned content, Russia's agency Interfax reported. The platform was accused of hosting illegal and extremist content, which it denied. Telegram further alleged that ⁠Russia is attempting to throttle ​its services in ​order ⁠to force people to switch to ⁠a ​state-run app ​called MAX.