Criticism voiced by Ekaterina Mizulina on a proposed law imposing fines for seeking out materials deemed extremist
In a significant shift in Russian law, proposed amendments are set to impose administrative fines on individuals who search for or access "extremist" content online. This expansion of legal liability targets mere consumption rather than distribution of such material, marking a tightening of control over online information.
The new provision, Article 13.53 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, sets fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles (approximately $38–65) for users found to have knowingly accessed or searched for banned extremist content. This includes using software or hardware tools that enable access to restricted information resources.
The law targets content identified by the Russian Ministry of Justice, which maintains a list of banned "extremist organizations" such as Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation and other groups labeled extremist by authorities. Enforcement mechanisms involve monitoring users' browser histories, search records, and internet traffic, which telecom operators and internet services are legally obliged to produce upon request.
Regarding VPN usage, the legislation explicitly includes liability for accessing extremist content "by using hardware and software tools to access information resources and information-telecommunications networks, access to which is restricted." This encompasses VPNs and other anonymizing tools that users might employ to bypass content restrictions.
Senator Artem Sheikin, a co-author of the amendments, clarified that fines will not be issued for accessing blocked resources using VPN, but responsibility may arise for the owners of these VPN services if they do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor. Accessing sites and apps of Meta, recognized as extremist and banned in Russia, does not constitute an administrative offense, according to Sheikin.
However, searching for known extremist materials online, including using VPN, could result in a fine of 3,000 to 5,000 rubles. Senator Sheikin emphasized that users should be aware of the materials they are accessing to avoid unintentional violations of the law.
Ekaterina Mizulina, another representative, stated that the Internet Safety League monitors and reports 30% of its activity on extremist communities, including those based on racial superiority ideology, LGBT propaganda, and communities inciting crimes against special operation participants.
Mizulina also warned that citizens who report extremist community materials to law enforcement could face fines. She also claimed that the proposed amendments could make it illegal for law enforcement employees and State Duma deputies to access citizens' complaints about extremist content.
The amendments to the bill on fines in the transport and communication spheres are currently undergoing the second reading in the State Duma and are expected to be considered on July 17, according to the Duma's electronic database. Senator Sheikin assures that Russians will not be punished for reporting extremist content after the amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses are adopted.
These proposed changes raise concerns about enhanced surveillance and potential police stop-and-search practices, as well as data sharing obligations impacting search engines and social media platforms. Users are advised to be cautious and aware of the materials they are accessing online to avoid unintentional violations of the law.
The new policy-and-legislation, under Article 13.53 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, imposes fines on individuals who search for or access extremist content online, including using VPNs and other anonymizing tools. Senator Sheikin emphasized that unintentional violations of the law should be avoided, as searching for known extremist materials online could result in a fine for the general-news public.
