Russian government proposed to overwrite the draft law proposing to oblige social networks, working or operating in Russian marketplace, to bear responsibility for content, or information, which users post or publish in such social networks. Social networks would be obliged to create special “administration” to handle issues with user’s content.
Russian government endorses conception of draft law, the idea itself which the law pursues. But proposal has been drafted incorrectly. Therefore the draft will be considered in autumn. Under the regulation of draft can fall not only social networks, but also messengers. It is necessary to define what means “operator of social network” and category of information which is to be deleted under user’s request.
The draft law does not provide the method under which the users of social networks should be counted. The draft law does not specify a legal form and status of representative office the social network must have in Russia. The current Russian law does not provide definition of “false information”, nor does it the draft law. The wording “false information” is of subjective nature.
The Russian government also believes the procedure providing deletion of information in social network is unjustified. There is no opportunity for users to object decision to delete information in question. It is also not possible to implement provision providing deletion of information within 24 hours. Too short term, it is impossible to verify information within 24 hours. But the most important thing is that the right to make decision whether to qualify information as “false” should belong to court.
Current version of draft law could entail huge financial losses for social networks and foreign social networks like Facebook can leave Russia. The obligation to make quarterly reports on deleted information has been admitted unnecessary.