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Russian Lawmakers Pass a Bill Punishing Online Searches
RUSSIA, JUL 22 – The law imposes fines up to $64 for first-time offenders and restricts VPN advertising to curb access to content labeled extremist by Russian authorities.
- Moscow’s State Duma passed the measure on Tuesday, criminalizing searches for extremist content and expanding government monitoring in Russia.
- Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, online censorship has soared, reflecting the broader trend of increased government control over digital spaces.
- The law punishes deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials, with fines up to 64 dollars and a ban on VPN advertising.
- A handful of demonstrators appeared outside the State Duma on Tuesday, and police arrested Dmitry Kisiev minutes after the protest began, raising concerns over repression.
- It then goes to President Vladimir Putin for signature, effective September 1, following the Federation Council's approval.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Associated Press News
TimesDailyIn Putin’s Russia, Even Internet Searches Could Be Crimes
“Russian lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill that punishes online searches for information that is deemed ‘extremist.’ … The official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups like (Navalny’s) Anti-Corruption Foundation … and the ‘international LGBT movement’.” – AP
After criminalizing any protest, the Russian authorities are preparing to ban the reading. Moscow will soon describe in its laws a new crime: "Search...
The Russian State Duma has approved a bill that further tightens internet restrictions. If passed, the bill would criminalize searching for extremist content online.
New Russian law criminalises searching for content deemed 'extremist'
The changes represent Russia's latest internet restriction, following measures taken against social media platforms and foreign technology companies since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
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