A new initiative from Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development aims to reshape how Roskomnadzor decides which online resources should be blocked. The ministry has drafted a resolution to extend Roskomnadzor’s authority to restrict access to websites that publish information on how to bypass current blocking measures. The draft document outlining these changes appeared on the legal regulations portal and remains under discussion through mid September.
The core intent of the proposed changes is to adjust the criteria used to assess materials and information that justify a blocking decision. Officials say the revision will clarify when content meets blocking thresholds and streamline administrative processes. As discussions advance, stakeholders and citizens can monitor developments through official channels as the draft moves through the legislative and government review process for potential adoption.
Separately, on September 1, officials announced that individuals may submit complaints about restricted or prohibited content through the Roskomnadzor website. This feature, already accessible to the public, was highlighted during a public event at the Moscow International Book Fair by Vadim Subbotin, deputy head of the relevant department. He noted that submissions entered on the site will be reviewed by Roskomnadzor staff to determine appropriate action.
Earlier in the week, on August 30, the Ministry circulated another draft decree that would require mobile operators to provide Roskomnadzor with subscriber data. The draft specifies that information such as a subscriber’s surname, given name, and patronymic, along with details about the date when a contract with the user was signed and the contract end date, would be forwarded to the agency. The proposal marks a significant step in expanding the data available to the regulator as part of its monitoring and enforcement activities.
There is also a development concerning enforcement over messaging platforms. In a notable move, Roskomnadzor has indicated that it will hold WhatsApp accountable for refusing to remove content deemed prohibited. This signals a shift in how social and messaging services are expected to cooperate with Russian regulatory requirements when it comes to content removal and compliance with blocking orders.
The overall policy direction appears to be part of a broader effort to tighten control over online information flows and to improve the mechanisms by which the government can respond to material viewed as harmful or illegal. Observers note that the processes under consideration would place more emphasis on rapid decision-making and centralized data handling, aiming to ensure blocking measures can be applied consistently across the internet landscape.
From a procedural standpoint, the current sequence proposes updating the evaluation framework that guides whether a site should be inaccessible. Under the new model, decision criteria would be more explicitly linked to specific kinds of content and the potential for user harm, including information that facilitates evading blocking systems. Agencies involved stress that the rules are designed to be transparent, with clear avenues for public input and review as the draft moves through the legislative process.
The ongoing discussions underscore a broader public policy objective: to balance information access with protective measures against content authorities deem unlawful or dangerous. While the changes are still under consideration, the direction signals a clear intent to empower Roskomnadzor with more decisive tools for overseeing online information ecosystems and for coordinating data sharing that could help identify and address policy violations more swiftly.
As this debate unfolds, stakeholders in technology, legal, and civil society communities are closely watching how the final text will shape user experience and regulatory oversight. Any enactment would set a precedent for how content blocking and data collection are regulated at the national level, potentially influencing how digital platforms operate within the country and how international operators align their practices with local requirements.
In summary, the ministry is advancing a package of measures aimed at reinforcing the mechanisms for blocking and information control online. The initiatives include revising the evaluation criteria for blocking decisions, expanding data submission obligations for mobile operators, introducing a structured complaints process for users, and asserting new enforcement responsibilities for major messaging services. The goal is to create a more predictable and accountable regulatory framework, with a steady emphasis on public participation and procedural transparency as the draft progresses toward formal adoption. The information in this article reflects briefings from the Ministry of Digital Development and Roskomnadzor materials and public remarks from the Moscow International Book Fair.
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