Registry and financial sanctions of social networks in Russia

by Tomáš Valouch, updated October 14, 2024

Russia has introduced stricter regulations for social networks as part of its drive for greater control over social networks. The new laws and sanctions aim to limit the dissemination of information that the Russian government deems dangerous and undesirable.

Roskomnadzor has created a new register of social networks

Recently, there has been an important step in the regulation of the digital space in Russia. In accordance with Article 10.6 of Federal Law No. 149-FZ “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection”, Roskomnadzor has created a new social networking register. This register includes a total of 15 popular platforms that most of us use on a daily basis.

The included platforms include global giants such as TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, as well as Russian social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. The registry also includes popular communication, content sharing and streaming apps such as Telegram, Likee, LiveJournal, Pikabu, Pinterest, Rutube, Zen, Twitch, Discord and Yappy.

Roskomnadzor is now monitoring these platforms and may apply various regulations, financial sanctions or requirements to them, or ban them entirely, as it did with the Signal app.

Under the new regulations, the owners of these social networks must ensure that their platforms are not used to commit crimes or disseminate prohibited information, according to the Russian Federation. This information includes:

• State or other secrets specially protected by law – Owners must ensure that their platforms do not publish information that could threaten state security or violate secrets protected by law.
• Materials containing public calls for terrorism – It is prohibited to post content that promotes or justifies terrorism or other extremist content. Social network owners must quickly identify and remove this type of material.
• Promotion of pornography, violence and cruelty – Platforms must not distribute content that promotes pornography, violence or cruelty and must ensure that such content is not available to their users.
• Obscene language – The new rules also include a ban on the dissemination of material containing obscene language that could be considered inappropriate or harmful to the public.

Who gets financial penalties, how much, and why?

In the first half of 2024, the owners of several large social networks were fined for failing to comply with their obligations to monitor and manage content on their platforms, according to the federal service for supervision of communications, information technology and media Roskomnadzor. The platforms TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitch and Telegram were fined, with the total amount of the penalties reaching 7700000 ₽$82,390.

YouTube received the largest fine, paying 4000000 ₽$42,800. The next platforms to be fined were Pinterest and Twitch, which paid 1000000 ₽$10,700 each. Telegram faced a fine of 900000 ₽$9,630, while TikTok’s fine was 800000 ₽$8,560. These fines were imposed for failing to monitor and moderate content on their platforms, which is in line with the requirements of Russian law.

In addition, these platforms were also fined for failing to comply with other legal obligations. In this case, the total amount of fines reached 4750000 ₽$50,825. The fines were distributed as follows: TikTok paid 7500000 ₽$80,250, YouTube paid 1000000 ₽$10,700, Pinterest paid 1000000 ₽$10,700, Twitch paid 1000000 ₽$10,700 and Telegram also paid 1000000 ₽$10,700.

Operators of these networks must take into account that non-compliance with the rules can be financially challenging and that regulation of the digital space is likely to tighten further. For users, this may mean changes in what types of content will be available on these platforms and what rules they will have to follow when using them.

What will be the impact of financial sanctions?

Roskomnadzor has drafted four protocols on administrative offences based on Article 19.7.10-4 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation. These protocols were drawn up due to the failure of social network owners to comply with orders issued by this authority.

The protocols on administrative offences drawn up by Roskomnadzor are now awaiting consideration in court. The outcome of these proceedings will be crucial for how the relationship between the state and social network operators in Russia will develop.

If the courts rule against these platforms, further sanctions and fines may follow, which will further increase the pressure on social network operators. In the worst case scenario, if this situation escalates it could even lead to the blocking of these platforms.