Operators Required to Cease Providing Communication Services at FSB’s Request

Russian operators will be required to cease providing communication services upon receiving a corresponding request from the Federal Security Service (FSB) if necessary to protect citizens and the state from emerging security threats. The amendments developed by the Ministry of Digital Development are planned to be introduced into articles 44 and 46 of the federal law ‘On Communication.’ The governmental commission for legislative activities approved the proposed amendments by the Ministry of Digital Development, sources close to the commission told ‘Vedomosti.’ According to the draft amendments, a communication operator must suspend services at the FSB’s request in cases defined by presidential and government regulations. The specific ‘established cases’ are determined and detailed in the corresponding regulatory legal acts of the president and government of the Russian Federation. The document states that the operator will not be held accountable for non-compliance with contractual obligations if it is related to fulfilling the requirements of special services.