Individuals in Kazakhstan face potential fines for disseminating unlawful material online.
In Kazakhstan, a new bill has been introduced to the Majilis, the parliament, proposing amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Specifically, the bill focuses on clarifying penalties for the dissemination of false information and failure to report measures taken to eliminate the causes of administrative offenses.
Under the proposed amendment to Article 456-2, commonly known as "Dissemination of False Information," individuals found distributing and placing illegal content, as defined by the law on online platforms and online advertising, will be fined 20 MCI, equivalent to approximately 73,840 tenge as of mid-2025. Repeated violations within a year could lead to a fine of 40 MCI or an administrative arrest of up to 10 days.
Additionally, Article 479 is supplemented with a new part, imposing fines of 20 MCI for both officials and business entities in cases where they fail to report measures taken to address conditions contributing to the commission of administrative offenses as recommended by relevant authorities.
The law on online platforms and online advertising specifies that illegal content includes, among other things, disinformation, incitement to violent change, promoting superiority based on race, nationality, or religion, and questioning the statehood or territorial integrity of the republic.
In Kazakhstan, the penalties for administrative offenses, such as the proposed fines for the dissemination of false information and reporting failures, are considered maximum fines for individuals. For officials, specific fines related to online false information or reporting deficiencies are not detailed in recent reports.
Recent enforcement actions have seen authorities take a proactive stance on content regulation, with protocols drawn up under Article 456-2 for posting videos deemed to threaten public order or state interests.
The new measures underline a broader focus on administrative law accountability, with officials now liable for misconduct committed in previous positions. However, the exact updated penalties for "failure to report measures to eliminate causes and conditions" are not specified in readily accessible recent sources.
In summary, the bill aims to strengthen administrative penalties for online content infractions, including false information, while also emphasizing the accountability of officials for misconduct in previous positions. Specific penalties for these offenses are not detailed in the most current public announcements, making it essential to consult the latest editions of the Code of Administrative Offenses and relevant laws for the most precise and up-to-date information.
I, as an individual, could be fined 20 MCI for distributing false information, as outlined in the proposed amendment to Article 456-2, if the content shared is found to be illegal under the law on online platforms and online advertising in Kazakhstan.
Under Article 479, officials and business entities may also face a fine of 20 MCI if they fail to report measures taken to address conditions contributing to the commission of administrative offenses as recommended by relevant authorities.
