Russia bans Internet messengers from reporting on collaboration with intelligence agencies
The Russian government has banned the organizers of information distribution (i.e. messenger applications) from disclosing information on collaboration with law enforcement authorities, as stated in a decree from January 18, published on Russia’s official legal information portal.
The decree introduces amendments to the rules on interaction between the organizers of online information distribution and the authorized state organs that carry out rapid tracing activity or provide security.
Messengers now must ensure “the non-disclosure to third parties of any information on specific facts or the content of such interaction,” the decree reads. The government also prohibited the placement of software or technical devices abroad which could be used by the companies to contact the state bodies.
The organizers of information distribution now have an obligation to provide remote access to their information system no later than three months after receiving the relevant notification from the FSB.
At the end of July 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill regulating the activity of messengers. According to the document, messengers must identify users by telephone number on the basis of an agreement which the application owners must make with the operator. At the demand of Roskomnadzor, after receiving notification, messengers will have to restrict a user’s access or block a channel with illicit information.
In December 2017, Putin signed a law concerning fines for messengers that do not comply with Russian legislation.