Russia: Adopted Bill No. 223849-7 including content moderation regulation

On 25 December 2020, Bill No. 223849-7, including content moderation regulation, was adopted. The Bill applies to social networks, defined as the owner of a site on the Internet, information system, or program for electronic computers used by users to provide or distribute content in the language of the Russian Federation or its republics, used to display advertising targeted at Russian users, that have daily more than 500’000 users. Social networks are required not to allow the use of their platform for the purpose of committing criminal acts, publishing state-protected secrets or, dissemination of content calling for terrorist and extremist acts or justifying them, or content promoting violence, cruelty or pornography. Furthermore, social networks are required to prevent the dissemination of content that discredits citizens based on gender, race or nationality, age, religion or political beliefs, profession, place of residence and work and content that is restricted by the law of referendum and elections. Finally, social networks are required to implement a complaint mechanism for users and public authorities to report illegal content and publish annual reports regarding the flagged content, their content moderation activities, and the removal of information.