Runet users will be punished not only for extremist, but also for fake content. On March 7, Bill No. 606593-7 (On Amendments to Article 15-3 of the Federal Law "On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information") was adopted by the State Duma in the third, final reading and sent to the Federation Council.
In parallel, the third reading was passed and a bill that would punish publications with obvious disrespect for the authorities and state symbols. The authors of both documents are a group of parliamentarians headed by Senator Andrey Klishas. It is he who promotes the law on the sovereign Runet, which has caused a lot of noise. The actions of the official so outraged especially initiative users that they even organized a petition for his resignation (it did not have much effect).
We hasten to reassure especially cautious readers: despite the approval of the State Duma, the law has not yet entered into force. This will happen 10 days after its publication in official sources, in accordance with clause 2.1 of the Procedure for the entry into force of regulatory legal acts. This is preceded by the passage of the law in the Federation Council and the President of the Russian Federation. So while you can relax - no one is judged or fined yet. But, as they say, forewarned is forearmed.
How the fake news law works
Everyone will be punished - both legal entities, which are all news media, and ordinary citizens. The sanctions involve blocking a resource with fake information, whether it is an entire website or a separate page on a social network. Also, distributors of fakes will be punished with a ruble:
- The first violation will cost individuals up to 100 thousand rubles, legal entities - up to 500. The amount of the fine is set by the court.
- If the publication of fake news turned out to be grave consequences, such as the death of a person or harm to health or property, the fine for individuals rises to 400,000 rubles, for legal entities - 1.5 million.
According to the new law, a court decision is not required to block a resource. It looks like this:
- The Prosecutor General's Office sends to Roskomnadzor an order to impose sanctions on the resource.
- RKN requires urgently (within 24 hours) to remove fake information.
- If the requirements are not met, the ILV blocks the resource.
Users who are not indifferent to the information purity of the Russian Internet will become the "orderlies of the forest". For example, "VKontakte" has already appeared a new reason for the complaint about the publication - "Misleading." Information about disinformation will quickly reach the right authorities. As for the sites, you can complain about them directly to Roskomnadzor.
Promotional video:
The adoption of new laws, as expected, caused a new wave of discontent. Representatives of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights (HRC) have already appealed to the Federation Council with a call to send the texts of the newly adopted documents for revision. And in the editorial office of the Yekaterinburg media outlet, TochkaNews has already trolled the legislators by sending an official request for news on the subject of the resurrection of Christ to the press service of the State Duma.
What is socially significant information?
According to the provisions of the law, sanctions are imposed not for any fake information, but only for socially significant information. In other words, if you write on your page "Maria P - a fallen woman", this post does not fall within the legal framework of the law on fake news (but under the law on libel - completely). We asked a lawyer what information can be considered socially significant.
Now you know what you should definitely not write on your websites and personal pages. We will follow the news and inform you about significant changes in the law.
Tatiana Sweet