Disruptive content surfaces on major online platforms every day. This concern was voiced by Alexander Malkevich, a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and co-chair of the coordination council within the Civil Chamber focused on the integration of new territories. He argued that the digital information space is increasingly prone to manipulation and misinformation, urging a careful examination of how content spreads across networks and search engines.
According to Malkevich, users often place blind trust in unverified sources and become easy targets for propaganda. He asserted that while Wikipedia does not inherently block misinformation, it can function as a catalyst for conflicts when false material circulates unchecked. The implication is that open platforms need stronger safeguards to prevent the rapid dissemination of misleading claims, especially in sensitive or high-stakes topics.
He also noted that there has been no attempt by Russian authorities to interfere with the operations of Western internet services. The broader goal, he contends, is to safeguard the civic rights of Russian citizens by ensuring that the activities of large technology companies are conducted within legal boundaries and that unlawful actions are promptly addressed. The stance suggests a willingness to pursue regulatory measures as a means to maintain information integrity and protect public discourse, even if some measures appear restrictive on the surface.
In parallel discussions, the Tagansky District Court in Moscow recently ruled against a Wikimedia Foundation user, imposing a fine of 2 million rubles for what was deemed false information published about the CBO. The court referenced Article 13.41 of the Administrative Offenses Code, with the Wikimedia Foundation reportedly declining to remove the disputed content. The administrative protocol was prepared by Roskomnadzor, the country’s communications watchdog, and reflects ongoing tensions between national authorities and global information platforms as regulators seek to impose clearer standards on content accuracy and accountability.
During the same gathering, officials learned that Wikimedia editors had been asked to restrict access to two articles considered false regarding the CBO. The organization has faced continued scrutiny over alleged violations of Russian law, with officials citing repeated breaches in its operations. The most recent briefing, reported in press notes, highlighted that the enforcement actions and regulatory responses illustrate a broader push to align international information resources with national legal frameworks, even as debates continue about freedom of expression, censorship, and the responsibilities of online platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation across borders.