Internet Content with "mat" could face restriction by Russia
In a bid to clean up the Russian internet, Deputy Andrei Svințov has introduced a bill aimed at restricting access to materials containing obscene language, commonly known as profanity. Here's what we know about the proposed legislation:
The Scope
The bill targets online materials containing profanity and aims to restrict access to such content within Russia.
Penalties and Enforcement
The bill proposes fines for violators, which can be imposed on website owners, hosting providers, or other parties responsible for distributing or enabling access to profane content. Regulatory authorities, likely Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media and internet watchdog, would be empowered to identify and block access to websites or online pages that contain profanity. They may require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to restrict access and could add offending content to a blacklist.
Additional Measures
The legislation may also involve warnings or demands for content removal before blocking, and repeated violations could trigger harsher penalties. However, the bill does not specify how profanity should be masked, nor does it mention an appeals process for content that is blocked due to profanity.
Exceptions and the Role of the Judiciary
The bill does not address the role of the judiciary in enforcing the profanity removal requirements, nor does it mention any exceptions or special cases regarding profanity. The bill also does not address the responsibility of users who do not remove profanity from their posts, or the consequences for digital platforms if they fail to enforce the profanity removal.
The Overall Goal
The overall goal is to curb the spread of obscene language on the Russian internet, aligning with broader efforts to regulate online content according to Russian standards of decency.
For the latest updates on this bill, or to access specific legal text excerpts, feel free to ask!
- The banking-and-insurance sector may face increased scrutiny as regulators seek to ensure compliance with the new profanity restrictions, especially since fines could be imposed on violators, including website owners.
- While the bill aims to clean up the Russian internet, it remains unclear how the industry, science, and education sectors will adapt to the new regulations concerning profanity, as the legislation does not provide specific guidance for these fields.
