Russia: Implemented Federal Law No. 530-FZ including user speech rights

On 1 February 2021, Federal Law No. 530-FZ, including user speech rights, was implemented. The Law 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. The Law requires covered social networks to make public a document on the platform's rules and inform users within 3 days of changes to its terms of use. Furthermore, the covered social networks are required to notify users of measures adopted restricting access to the content or account and provide information regarding the grounds used for imposing the restrictions. Finally, social networks must implement mechanisms to allow users to appeal the decision. The users, in case it disagrees with the social network, respons can submit a complaint to the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor), which has the power to order the access to be restored.