Uzbekistan proposes new law requiring bloggers with over 10 000 followers to pay taxes

Uzbekistan has proposed a new law requiring bloggers and influencers with over 10,000 followers to pay taxes and follow strict rules on content verification, moderation, and advertising. The draft aims to regulate growing online influence amid rapid internet use growth in the country.

Uzbekistan has drafted a new law that aims to regulate the growing influence of bloggers and influencers, requiring individuals with more than 10 000 followers to pay taxes. The proposal, which is currently open for public discussion until May 27, seeks to establish clear guidelines for interactions between users, bloggers, influencers, and the owners of online platforms.

The legislation introduces key definitions for the first time, distinguishing between bloggers, influencers, and website owners. A blogger is defined as anyone who publishes content of public significance, while an influencer refers to bloggers with over 10 000 followers. Additionally, website owners are those who control the operation of online platforms. The law also provides a definition of false information as content that is distorted and may harm the reputation of individuals or entities.

Under the draft law, bloggers and website owners would be required to verify information before publishing, moderate comments, and remove illegal content. Advertisements would need to include contact information, and corrections must be published when necessary. Furthermore, anyone involved in commercial activities on these platforms would be required to pay taxes.

Influencers will also face specific obligations, including remaining accessible for contact. Failure to comply with this rule could result in a ban on running advertisements. The law establishes penalties for repeated violations, which may include slower access to online platforms within Uzbekistan, and in serious cases, suspension of a blogger's or influencer's activity for up to six months.

The law comes at a time when internet usage in Uzbekistan is growing rapidly. From 2017 to 2025, the number of internet users in the country soared from 14.7 million to 32.7 million. Social networks and the internet have become crucial channels for accessing information and discussing societal issues, according to the Agency for Information and Mass Communications (AIMC).

Among the most popular platforms in Uzbekistan are Telegram with 28 million users, Odnoklassniki with 19.2 million, and Facebook with 2.3 million. Smaller networks like VKontakte, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) also have significant user bases.

The AIMC explained that there are currently no clear, systematic regulations defining the rights of online platform users in the country. The current rules for information dissemination are insufficiently structured and fragmented, highlighting the need for more comprehensive legislation.

Copied