Social networks proposed to fine for ignoring user complaints about content

The Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation may include provisions on holding social networks accountable for improper and untimely response to user complaints. The scientific and technical center of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Main Radio Frequency Center” (GRFC) made a corresponding proposal in its study. An organization subordinate to Roskomnadzor analyzed the experience of regulating social networks in a number of other countries, primarily Germany. The GRFC believes that such a measure will make it possible to attract users to content moderation, and most importantly, to motivate social networks to comply with the requirements of the law “On Information…” more strongly.

According to the document, Internet platforms are obliged to prevent the use of their sites for the commission of criminal acts, the disclosure of information constituting a state secret, the distribution of materials containing public calls for terrorist activities and other illegal content. The law also requires that social networks have the tools to receive and process user messages about prohibited materials. The procedure for consideration of such complaints shall not exceed thirty days.

Although the law contains the listed requirements, there is no liability for social networks for a late response to a complaint or ignoring it, the SCRC noted.

“These changes [введение административной ответственности] will lead to the strengthening of the role of user complaints in the activities of Internet platforms on the territory of the Russian Federation and initiate the involvement of citizens in blocking illegal content, ”the study of the GRFC states.

Roskomnadzor supports legislative initiatives aimed at improving the security of Russian users in the information space, the ministry told Izvestia.

Read in full in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Eye of the people: social networks proposed to fine for ignoring user complaints