Maria Ostashenko, Partner and the head of Data Protection and Cybersecurity practice, together with Associate Anastasia Petrova, prepared an article for Data Protection Leader magazine on a subject "Messenger operators in Russia: counter-terrorism regulation".
In the article, experts talk about the introduction of additional obligations on messaging service operators, such as WhatsApp, Telegram and others, in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Europe. In particular, about requirements to identify users of messaging applications.
It directly concerns Law of 29 July 2017 No. 241-FZ on Amendments to Articles 10.1 and 15.4 of the Federal Law on Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection (‘the Law’). The Law was introduced to the State Duma on 24 May 2017, was approved by both the Duma and the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament, and signed by the President on 29 July 2017. The proposed amendments introduced by the Law will enter into force on 1 January 2018.