A number of Western companies, along with firms from various countries, have conducted research activity in Russia for two decades. Anton Gorelkin, chairman of ROCIT’s board and deputy chairman of the Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Committee, commented on the matter.
He noted that these organizations gather and accumulate data about Russian commodity markets, including everyday price levels, the cost and composition of the consumer basket across Russia’s regions, consumer spending trends, public health indicators, diagnoses, and recommended medicines. The aim, as described, is to map how information and economic activities interact in a way that could influence policy and business decisions both inside Russia and abroad.
Gorelkin explained that the drive to regulate foreign research firms operating on Russian soil grew out of concerns about the potential to manipulate data for Western interests and to steer both information space and economic processes, including sanctions against Russia. The proposed bill, he said, would simplify the activities of research entities, promote transparency in the collection and processing of data from Russia and Russian companies in this sector, bolster information security, and safeguard the nation’s strategic interests.
According to the deputy, the data gathered has value that may not be immediately obvious to the average citizen. He suggested that insights into purchasing patterns and market behavior contribute to a broader understanding of market dynamics, and that every verification feeds into a wider repository of information.
He warned that the analysis of such data could give Western policymakers clues about what might appear in future sanctions packages. In practical terms, this could lead to shortages of needed goods or higher prices for essential items, including medicines that are crucial for some people. The deputy emphasized that the insights are used to anticipate and respond to shifts in the market and policy environment.
Gorelkin asserted that the true value of these data streams is recognized internationally. He pointed to the fact that, even with the explicit reference to the ninth EU sanctions package, major foreign research companies have not halted operations in Russia. He argued that because the information is deemed important, no Russian company would be allowed to participate in such activities in Western jurisdictions without facing serious legal consequences.
The Duma recently approved in the first reading a measure that would restrict the activities of foreign research firms in Russia. This development was reported through the legislative support portal and reflects ongoing discussions about data sovereignty, security, and economic policy in the contemporary Russian regulatory landscape.