PRESS: Russian authorities still want to regulate messengers’ work

MOSCOW, Jan 24 (PRIME) -- The Russian communications service and the Interior Ministry have developed amendments to the law on connection to regulate messengers, like WhatsApp and Viber, and allow mobile operators to sell SIM cards online, business daily Kommersant reported Tuesday.

The authorities want to add a definition of “information and communication services of instant message exchange” to the law on connection as such services “are inseparable from connection services.” Organizers of information distribution in the Internet provide software that makes it possible to identify users, as the bill says.

A mobile market source said the initiative was prepared by the communications service, and a working group was joined by mobile operators. Another person said the Interior Ministry was behind the idea as the authority “is interested in halting illegal sales of SIM cards.”

The initiative to regulate messengers by signing contracts with connection operators and identifying clients of such services was earlier put forward by the Media Communications Union, comprising telecom operators as MTS, VimpelCom and MegaFon, as well as such media companies as Gazprom-Media and CTC Media. The idea was later dismissed.

This time, the amendments on messengers can be included in a new bill seeking to facilitate business of mobile operators, which will be able to sign contracts with subscribers on services via automated devices and in an electronic form starting from January 1, 2019, if the document is approved.

Operators will be also able to check personal information of subscribers not only with passports, but also through the single system of identification and authentication, an electronic signature and the portal of state services, among others.

The amendments introduce fines for distribution of SIM cards without the operator’s permit: 2,000–5,000 rubles for individuals and 100,000–200,000 rubles for companies. Foreign citizens or stateless people will have to pay 50,000–60,000 rubles with confiscation of SIM cards and face an administrative arrest for up to 15 days and deportation.

(59.5034 rubles – U.S. $1)

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