PRESS: Watchdog wants social nets’ new users to give passport info

MOSCOW, Mar 25 (PRIME) -- The Russian communications service has suggested asking for passport numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mails when registering new accounts in social networks and messengers, business daily Kommersant reported on Thursday.

The initiative is considered under the amendments to the law on personal data, which partially came into force earlier in March.

“The communications service wants to request from new users of social networks and messengers passport number, residence address, phone number, and e-mail,” the statement read.

The user will decide what system to choose to give consent to data processing – either an own platform of a social network or a messenger or the unified information system of the communications service. If the latter is preferred, the user will have to fill in a special form with passport details, residence address, phone number, and e-mail.

The watchdog did not say what information a social network or a messenger will be obliged to request from a new user if they choose their platform.

Deputy Anton Gorelkin said the service’s suggestion mainly targets social networks and messengers and applies only to new users. If misbehaving, social networks and messengers will be fined up to 100,000 rubles.

(76.1535 rubles – U.S. $1)

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