Russia’s parliament passes law allowing FSB to order communications blocked under conditions set by Putin
Russian lawmakers have passed a law allowing the Federal Security Service (FSB) to order communications shutdowns, even if there is no alleged security threat.
Russia’s State Duma approved amendments to the law “On Communications” in both the second and third readings on Tuesday, requiring mobile operators to block cellular and fixed-line Internet services at the demand of the FSB.
You’re currently reading Meduza, the world’s largest independent Russian news outlet. Every day, we bring you essential coverage from Russia and beyond. Explore our reporting here and follow us wherever you get your news.
The original bill, which passed the first reading earlier this month, stipulated that communications services could be suspended upon receipt of a “request” from the FSB in cases “established by normative legal acts of the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation, aimed at protecting citizens and the state from emerging security threats.”
By the second reading, the language had been revised: “requests” from the FSB were replaced with “demands.” References to “security threats” and to “government regulatory acts” were also removed.
As adopted, the law allows the Russian president to personally determine the conditions under which communications can be blocked nationwide or in a specific region, without having to explain whether there are grounds for doing so.
Earlier, the authorities justified the legislation by citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory. The measure was presented as a way to shield telecom operators from liability for communication shutdowns that have been occurring across Russia.
