Twitch to Exit Russian Market Amid Regulatory Pressures, Facing $800,000 in Fines



Industry News
Twitch to Exit Russian Market Amid Regulatory Pressures, Facing $800,000 in Fines

Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch is planning a full withdrawal from the Russian market, citing concerns over economic viability and mounting regulatory pressures, according to recent reports.

 
 
 
Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch is planning a full withdrawal from the Russian market, citing concerns over economic viability and mounting regulatory pressures, according to recent reports.

 

Russian users have already been restricted to a maximum streaming quality of 720p, down from the previous 1080p standard—a move that mirrors Twitch’s operational pattern prior to exiting other markets.

 

Russia’s federal communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, revealed that Twitch has accumulated fines totaling 69.7 million rubles (approximately $800,000) for repeatedly refusing to remove illegal content and failing to fulfill obligations as a social media platform.

 

Additionally, the platform was placed on a regulatory watchlist for non-compliance with Russia’s "landing law," which mandates foreign IT companies with over 500,000 daily active users in the country to establish local representative offices.

 

The combined impact of regulatory hurdles and financial penalties has reportedly made sustained operations in Russia unsustainable for Twitch, leading to the decision to cease services entirely.
Latest Stories
Sports News2 minute readOn Saturday, July 12, the US Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame honored seven-time Olympian Anita DeFrantz, 72, marking her induction as one of the longest-serving IOC members and the first African-American woman to break racial and gender barriers in global sports governance. The ceremony in Colorado Springs, attended by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, celebrated DeFrantz’s dual legacy as a bronze medalist rower and a transformative leader who redefined Olympic inclusivity.
Sports News1 minute readAt its semi-annual meeting last month, the Board of the International Testing Agency (ITA) welcomed Ms. Dagmawit Girmay Berhane and reviewed progress on its 2023-2026 strategic plan. As of June, 91% of 152 projects had either been completed or were underway.
Social News1 minute readNestled in the Himalayas, Nepal—once a South Asian power and birthplace of Buddhism—now grapples with stark poverty. Despite its rich cultural heritage, the country faces severe economic challenges, with a 2024 GDP per capita of $1,436 , leaving many households surviving on just $100 monthly. Over a quarter of its population lives below the poverty line, while rising living costs exacerbate daily hardships .
Social News1 minute readA curious trend exists: deodorants are top sellers in Western countries with mostly white populations but struggle in East Asia, where most people are of East Asian descent. The reason lies in biology—East Asians are less likely to have body odor, thanks to a specific gene.
Insect Information1 minute readOften mistaken for other bugs, earwigs (order Dermaptera) stand out with a unique anatomical mix: a slender, rove beetle–like upper body that transitions to a pair of prominent forceps-like pincers at the abdomen’s tip. This distinctive design has fascinated and confused observers for centuries, blending subtlety with a bold defensive feature.
Insect Information1 minute readThe Hallucigenia, an enigmatic creature from the Cambrian period, remains one of paleontology’s strangest mysteries. With a tubular body adorned by spines and paired appendages, this worm-like animal once thrived in ancient seas, dominating ecosystems as one of Earth’s most populous species—only to vanish millions of years ago, leaving behind fossil clues that perplex scientists.
Economic News1 minute readA study released by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (l'Insee) on Tuesday, July 8, reveals that a quarter of French households reside in severely under-occupied homes—defined as having at least three more rooms than actually needed. This phenomenon affects 7.6 million primary residences, 93% of which are single-family houses, with three-quarters of these under-occupied homes exceeding 100 square meters in size.