Government suggests fining officials for posting false info on state websites

The Russian government has published a list of amendments to the Federal bill on official websites, suggesting a fine for those responsible for posting false or obsolete information, or using foreign-based servers.

The suggested fines vary from 3000 to 5000 rubles ($80 - $135). The draft, posted on the official government website on Thursday also makes federal ministries and agencies responsible for control over the content of their websites.

The bill also orders the same punishment for hosting official Russian websites on servers that are physically located outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

In June this year the State Duma passed in the first reading a bill that orders the websites of all state and municipal bodies to be moved onto Russian territory.

A different law that was passed by the Parliament in summer and came into force on September 1 obliges all internet companies collecting personal information from Russian citizens to store that data inside the country.

Russian MPs believe the new law is in tune with the current European policy of trying to legally protect online personal data. One of the main sponsors, Deputy Chairman of the Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, Leonid Levin, said the Russian law serves goals similar to those of the decision by the European Court of Justice, which endorsed the so-called “right to be forgotten,” obliging Google to remove links to personal data on request.