Russia to fine citizens for searching 'extremist' content online

A new Russian law will fine citizens up to 5,000 rubles for searching online for "extremist" content, raising concerns over digital privacy and self-censorship.

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved legislation punishing online searches for extremist materials, a move critics say will heighten censorship and jeopardise digital freedoms.

The law targets individuals who intentionally seek out extremist content, including through VPNs, with fines reaching up to 5,000 rubles. The Ministry of Justice’s list of extremist materials spans over 500 pages and includes organisations such as Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Fund and U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, may soon be designated as restricted software. Lawmakers have warned the platform to prepare for a possible exit from Russia, further narrowing the digital space.

Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadaev said authorities must prove intent, not mere access. Still, rights groups say the law’s vagueness could spur abuse. Yekaterina Mizulina of the League for a Safe Internet called the wording unclear and warned it may lead to fraud and extortion.

Critics like Roskomsvoboda’s Sarkis Darbinyan see the law as a tool to instil fear and increase self-censorship, with users likely to abandon apps and online communities.

Although the law still awaits approval from the Federation Council before taking effect on 1 September, it has already sparked political pushback. Opposition figure Boris Nadezhdin protested outside the Duma, vowing to challenge the law's advancement.

Unusually, 14.9% of lawmakers voted against the bill, with 22 abstaining—indicating a level of dissent rarely seen in Russia’s legislative process.

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