Russia: Adopted Bill on Amendments to the Federal Law on Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection banning foreign messaging service providers

On 23 December 2022, Bill No. 141597-8 on “Amendments to the Federal Law on Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” was approved by the Russian Federation Council. The Bill amends Federal Law No. 149-FZ by establishing a prohibition for several Russian agencies from using information exchange systems owned by foreign entities. The Bill also provides that the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media of Russia (Roskomnadzor) will publish a list of banned foreign messengers. Furthermore, the Law will enter into force on 1 March 2023 following its signing into Law by the President of the Russian Federation.