Cyber Patrols May Be Established in Russia

Cyber patrol members will identify illegal content on the internet.

Members of the United Russia party have proposed an initiative to create cyber patrols in Russia. These groups would work together with law enforcement agencies to detect prohibited information online, including extremist content, according to the news agency RIA Novosti.

The drafted bill will be reviewed by the party’s coordination council and, if supported after feedback from relevant agencies, will be submitted to the State Duma.

One of the bill’s authors, Oleg Bykov, explained that the document is not intended to restrict freedom of speech on the internet. “This is about regulating the legal status and procedures for dealing with illegal information. It is aimed at encouraging civic engagement,” he noted.

According to the explanatory note, cyber patrol members will combat the posting of illegal information online, including content that promotes war, incites national, racial, or religious hatred and hostility, as well as information for which distribution carries criminal or administrative liability.

Cyber patrols will be established as public organizations at the initiative of Russian citizens. Oversight of cyber patrol members will be the responsibility of regional executive authorities that supervise mass communications. Russian citizens aged 18 and older will be eligible to join these organizations.