Online materials faced imminent prohibition in Russia
In a recent development, a bill has been introduced in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, aiming to block or restrict information materials containing profanity on digital platforms and social networks.
The bill, spearheaded by State Duma member Vitaly Milonov, seeks to address concerns about inappropriate content, particularly on digital platforms, which are often the distributors of such materials, according to Andrei Svintsev, deputy chairman of the State Duma's information policy committee (LDPR).
The bill, if passed, will apply to digital platforms and streaming services, as well as popular bloggers and shows. It requires creators of content containing offensive language to take measures to remove or mask it. The Russian Prosecutor's Office will have the authority to make decisions on blocking the material.
However, the specific provisions and potential impact of the bill are not detailed in the available information. What is known is that the bill does not provide a clear outline of the consequences for non-compliance, but Svintsev's statement suggests that it will address this issue.
Svintsev claims that the use of profanity contradicts Presidential Decree No. 809, and the adoption of the bill will allow a more clear and effective system of filtration and blocking of materials containing profanity to be established. This implies that the bill will address the issue of profanity on digital platforms more effectively than the current system.
The bill's focus on digital platforms and streaming services may indicate a shift in focus from traditional media. It is worth noting that the use of offensive expressions is already prohibited on television and in mass media by the law on the state language.
As of late July 2025, specific updates on the passage or further progression of the bill in the legislative process have not been detailed in the available information. The bill's current status remains that it has been proposed recently.
[1] Source: Russian State Duma website and various media outlets.
- The bill, if passed, could potentially extend to the realm of finance and business, as digital platforms and streaming services where profanity may be found are often used for advertisement and monetization purposes.
- The proposed legislation, aimed at restricting profanity on digital platforms, may raise questions in the realm of politics and general news, as these sectors frequently deal with controversial topics and robust debates, which could include the use of offensive language.
