Operators May Be Required to Terminate Communication Services at the Request of the FSB

Russian communication operators will be required to terminate services upon receiving requests from the Federal Security Service (FSB) if this is necessary to protect citizens and the state from potential security threats. Such amendments have been developed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. They will affect Articles 44 and 46 of the federal law "On Communications." The ministry's proposal has already been approved by the government commission.

According to the amendments, requests from the FSB to terminate communication services will be determined by regulatory acts of the president and government. At the same time, operators will not be liable for non-fulfillment of obligations under contracts if this is related to the fulfillment of the requirements of special services. The project was agreed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the FSB, the Ministry of Economic Development, and Rospotrebnadzor, and also received positive feedback from the Ministry of Justice and the Institute of Legislation.

Igor Cherepanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, stated that the main idea is that communication operators can stop providing services at the request of the FSB.

Analysts note that these initiatives will help simplify and unify processes related to disconnecting specific subscribers, especially in the context of terrorist threats and cyberattacks.

Since communication operators are already required to provide information about their subscribers to state bodies and assist in operational-search measures, the new amendments are aimed at accelerating this process so that it is more targeted.

As lawyer Alexey Gavrishev explains, such a step may lead to the creation of a unified response system, where the disconnection of a number or device will be carried out according to the internal acts of the department, and not by a court decision.

As a result, the initiative of the Ministry of Digital Affairs will contribute to improving control and rapid response to security threats, experts say.