Apple sued by Russian regulators for 'distributing rainbow flag wallpapers as a form of LGBT propaganda'



The Tagansky District Court in Moscow has announced that it has begun hearing a civil lawsuit against Apple for allegedly spreading LGBT propaganda. If found guilty, Apple could be fined up to 4 million rubles (about $60,000).

Информация по делу № 05-0381/2025 | правонарушениях первой инстанции | Информация по судебным делам | Сервисы | Таганский районный суд | портал судов общей юрисдикции города Moskv
https://mos-gorsud.ru/rs/taganskij/services/cases/admin/details/7500a3a0-1f7b-11f0-823b-3d9a079577d9

Telegram: View @bazabazon
https://t.me/bazabazon/36772

Apple charged with 'LGBT propaganda' in Russia for rainbow flag wallpaper in latest update — Novaya Gazeta Europe
https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2025/04/23/apple-charged-with-lgbt-propaganda-in-russia-for-rainbow-flag-wallpaper-in-latest-update-en-news

In Russia, the dissemination of information about homosexuality is prohibited for the reason that 'it is not permissible to promote non-traditional sexual relations to minors,' and there is also a law called the Law on Propaganda of Homosexuality . In addition, the International LGBT Movement is recognized as an 'extremist organization' in Russia, and its activities are banned.

According to court documents, the case was brought by Russia's intelligence agency, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor), against Apple Distribution International Ltd, a major shareholder of Apple Russia. Roskomnadzor claimed that Apple had 'spread LGBT propaganda' (PDF file) and sought administrative liability under Article 6.21, paragraph 3 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences .

Russian news channel Baza reported on Telegram that Roskomnadzor was likely cracking down on a rainbow flag wallpaper that was being distributed on iOS, in the run up to Pride Month in June 2025.



The court filing did not specify the basis for the lawsuit, but it is possible that Apple's distribution of the rainbow flag wallpaper was interpreted by Roskomnadzor as 'part of activities based on the international LGBT movement.'

Article 6.21, paragraph 3 of the Russian Federal Law on Administrative Offenses prescribes penalties for violations of the Law on Prohibition of Homosexual Propaganda, stating that 'propaganda through the dissemination of information aimed at inducing non-traditional sexual relationships, preferences, and gender reassignment will be punished with a fine of 50,000 rubles (approximately 86,000 yen) to 100,000 rubles (approximately 172,000 yen).' In addition, in the case of corporations, additional fines are also stipulated, and Novaya Gazeta Europe, an independent Russian journal, states that 'If convicted, Apple could be fined up to 4 million rubles.'

Roskomnadzor's crackdown on rainbow flags has been quite strict, with a woman in custody in the past for wearing rainbow frog earrings and an activist being arrested for posting an image of the rainbow flag in a Telegram chat.

Related Posts:

in Note,   , Posted by log1i_yk