March 23, 2026
Russia's Ministry of Digital Development proposes exemption allowing security officers and scientists to search “extremist materials” online
TL;DR
- Russia's Ministry of Digital Development proposed amendments to combat online fraud.
- The amendments would allow online searches of "extremist materials" for scientific or law enforcement purposes.
- This change resolves a contradiction where identifying prohibited material was itself an administrative offense.
- Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses in September 2025 mandated penalties for searching "knowingly extremist materials".
- Fines range from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles ($35 to $60).
- The first case involved a medic fined 3,000 rubles for finding "extremist material".
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