Russian deputy: Bills still to determine content storage details

MOSCOW, Jul 5 (PRIME) -- A Russian much-criticized package of antiterrorist bills does not impose precise parameters for information storage, but the government is vested with a right to decide upon the matter during two years, one of the bills’ authors, deputy Irina Yarovaya, head of the security committee at the State Duma, said late Monday.

“The bill does not offer to store information. It enables the government of the Russian Federation within two years to decide whether anything should be kept or not, in what volume, regarding what information. The bill does not regulate that matter. It stipulates only the government’s rights,” Yarovaya said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television channel.

“There are no grounds for an increase in tariffs,” she said. “It’s unequivocal, categorical and unambiguous, because the information that the bill imposes any requirements is faulty.”

“Perhaps, there is an intention to raise tariffs and find a convenient reason. Objectively, there are no grounds for higher prices, as the bill implies nothing of that kind,” Yarovaya said.

The package of bills was earlier approved by the country’s parliament and is now waiting for being signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. As it was understood, the initiative would oblige communications operators and Internet companies to keep records of users’ activities and content exchanged for some time.

Operators said earlier the move would double or triple tariffs for mobile connection. Experts also strongly disliked the idea.

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