Roskomnadzor is weighing tougher penalties for spreading deepfakes, a shift reported by News who cites the department’s press service. The intended move would target the distribution of highly convincing synthetic content that can mislead audiences, especially when presented as authentic messages from trusted sources. This potential change signals a clear stance: penalties could rise for those who disseminate deepfakes with the aim of manipulating public perception or stirring social unrest.
The agency emphasizes that it backs stronger accountability for those who spread deepfakes when they are framed as legitimate communications and carry significant social or economic risk. The proposed measures focus on the harmful use of such material, where the fake aligns with real-world consequences, whether influencing opinions, disrupting markets, or undermining public trust. In this context, the emphasis is on deterrence and rapid attribution of responsibility when deception reaches a broad audience or intersects with critical public discourse.
Officials highlight that the priority is not general satire or harmless fiction, but content that distorts important political and social statements. The focus is on material that could misrepresent the views of authorities, policy makers, or other public figures, potentially altering the course of civic decision making. The legal considerations aim to close loopholes that allow the spread of misleading content under the guise of verifiable sources, thereby reducing the risk that false claims become accepted as fact in time-sensitive situations.
A deepfake, in this framework, comprises highly convincing substitutions of imagery, video, and audio that can simulate real people or events. The technology behind deepfakes enables sophisticated mimicry, raising concerns about authenticity, provenance, and the speed at which misinformation can spread across platforms. The proposed regulatory approach seeks to require greater transparency and accountability for creators and distributors, ensuring that when synthetic media is used, it is clearly labeled and responsibly moderated to minimize harm without stifling legitimate expression.
In comments from the autumn session, Alexander Khinshtein, the former chair of the State Duma Information Policy Committee, noted that a draft bill will be developed to crystallize the concept of deepfake within the legal framework. The aim is to establish clear definitions, assign appropriate duties to platforms and publishers, and delineate penalties for deliberate misuse. The forthcoming legislation, according to the official discussions, would respond to evolving digital communication trends while preserving legitimate rights to freedom of expression and research. Stakeholders are watching closely as lawmakers balance innovation with safeguards designed to protect the public from deceptive digital content.