Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs Outlines Website Blocking Procedure for Protected Individuals
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has developed a draft government resolution establishing the procedure for blocking websites that publish information about individuals under state protection. This initiative is part of the implementation of Federal Law No. 288-FZ, “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation,” which was adopted to prevent the disclosure of personal data of law enforcement officers, judges, and certain government officials.
Who Is Covered by State Protection?
According to the law, state protection will apply to all employees of internal affairs agencies, military personnel and employees of the National Guard, members of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and personnel of foreign intelligence agencies. Judges and officials of regulatory bodies are also included.
Website Blocking Mechanism
The draft document specifies that Roskomnadzor, the federal executive body responsible for overseeing communications, must, within 24 hours of receiving a decision recognizing information as prohibited and an order to restrict access, enter the relevant record into the Unified Register of Prohibited Websites.
These registry entries must not contain any personal data of the protected individual. The only exceptions are the domain name, the specific webpage address, and a description of the prohibited information found. The draft also outlines the procedure for removing a website from the Unified Register and lifting the block if necessary.
Expansion of State Protection
Previously, state protection was provided to judges, prosecutors, employees of the FSB and Investigative Committee of Russia, the penal system, enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and certain military personnel of the National Guard, Ministry of Defense, and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). The list of individuals whose confidentiality was protected was determined by the head of the relevant agency.
The law, which came into force in the summer of last year, expanded the list to include all employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Guard, Ministry of Defense, and SVR. State protection is also granted to those who have left service in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Guard, FSB, and state security agencies if there is a threat to their life, health, or property.
Public Discussion and Criticism
When the first bills aimed at protecting judges, law enforcement officers, and top officials were introduced in the State Duma, experts immediately labeled them as laws against anti-corruption investigations.
The draft document developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs is currently undergoing public discussion, which will end on February 16 of this year. If you have any comments or suggestions, you can leave them on the document’s page.