The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) has proposed new regulations for internet content providers that would require them to store data on the geolocation and payment methods of their users. These changes are part of the FSB’s draft Decree of the Government, which aims to adjust the existing rules on data storage that were approved in 2020.
Since 2014, the register of information dissemination organizers has been overseen by Roskomnadzor, the Russian media watchdog. This register includes major platforms like the VKontakte social network and various Yandex services. The proposed changes would now require these platforms to store additional user data.
The FSB highlighted that although the current rules do not explicitly specify the collection of geolocation and payment data, these types of information are already being processed and used by the platforms. By establishing clear standards for the storage and provision of this data, the FSB aims to prevent any ambiguity in its application.
The FSB warns that the lack of clear guidelines regarding these data could result in inconsistent practices and potentially reduce the effectiveness of law enforcement and security measures in Russia. The department emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the Russian Federation in its statement.