Federation Council committee proposes blocking social networks for calls to illegal protests

The Federation Council’s Committee on Information Policy and Interaction with the Media said that Russian legislation should provide for blocking social networks for calls to participate in unlawful protest actions.

As ТАСС reports, the committee wants to impose penalties for “using social networks to mobilise citizens to unlawful actions”. As penalties, fines or temporary or permanent blocking of platforms are proposed.

“Such internet platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok have become sources of dissemination among Russian citizens of calls for mass unrest, information aimed at incitement or involvement in committing unlawful acts,” the statement said.

The Commission noted “instances of deliberate work by the internet companies themselves to assist protest activity”. It also believes that platforms used users’ personal data “to manipulate their minds and mobilise them for radical actions”.

“As a result, some internet platforms have crossed the fine line separating social networks from foreign agents representing the interests of foreign states,” the Commission emphasised.

As a reminder, from February 1 in the Russian Federation, a law came into force, obligating social networks to independently identify and block illegal content. This includes calls for mass unrest.

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