The State Duma approved fines for searching for extremist materials

According to human rights activists, the authorities are promoting repressive norms through previously introduced but long-unconsidered bills.

State Duma deputies adopted in the third reading a bill introducing administrative responsibility for searching for extremist materials on the Internet. 306 deputies voted for the document, 67 were against, and 22 abstained.

According to the text, a fine of 3 to 5 thousand rubles will be imposed for “deliberate search for extremist materials.” In addition, the law provides for penalties for distributing advertisements for VPN services. For citizens - from 50 to 80 thousand rubles, for legal entities - up to 500 thousand rubles.

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Transferring SIM cards is prohibited, and using a VPN is an aggravating circumstance

The new law prohibits transferring SIM cards, passwords and access to websites to others, except for personal use. The State Duma also approved an amendment according to which the use of a VPN when committing crimes will be considered an aggravating circumstance. All changes will come into force on September 1, 2025.

Initially, the bill was introduced as a document regulating transport and forwarding activities. However, amendments regarding digital restrictions were added to the second reading.

Human rights activists call the State Duma’s decision a “cunning tactic”

The Network Freedom Project calls this a “cunning tactic” by which authorities are promoting repressive norms through previously introduced but long-unconsidered bills.

At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, noted during a speech in the State Duma that Russians will not be fined for using social networks, even if they are recognized as extremist. The sanctions apply only to specific materials - books, articles, videos and audio.

Roskomnadzor has already blocked 56,000 resources with similar content. The bill will affect about 5.5 thousand materials from the Ministry of Justice register.

Criticism of the amendments

On the morning of July 22, a single picket was held near the State Duma building against the adoption of the law. The action was attended by politician Boris Nadezhdin and his supporters. Several people, including journalists covering the protest, were detained.

The Moscow authorities had not previously approved the action “in accordance with the developing epidemiological situation,” since restrictions due to the coronavirus are still in effect in the country.

The amendments previously caused criticism among supporters of the authorities. In particular, RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and head of the Safe Internet League Ekaterina Mizulina spoke out against them. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the initiative to impose fines for searching for extremist materials “requires more detailed explanations.”

Previously, “Verstka” talked about how restrictions imposed for searching for “ extremist content ” and using a VPN for this could apply.

Photo: State Duma, Wikipedia

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