Camilla Jessen
New legislation would let authorities monitor minors’ online activity and block access to restricted content
Russian authorities are preparing to implement a digital monitoring system that would track and restrict minors’ activity online.
The initiative, detailed in the second package of anti-fraud legislation reviewed by Forbes, proposes mandatory SIM card tagging for children and age verification requirements for online platforms.
From self-regulation to state-controlled content filtering
Under this law, parents would be required to inform telecom operators when handing a SIM card to a child.
The operator must then upload this data to the GIS “KSIM” state database, which monitors SIM card usage across major Russian carriers including Megafon, MTS, T2, and Beeline.
The SIM cards would receive a “child” or “transferred to child” tag depending on the situation.
Online platforms — officially classified as Online Information Dissemination Organizations (ORIs) — would be required to check this database to determine if a user is underage before allowing access to certain content.
The Ministry of Digital Development confirmed that Russians can register SIM cards from age 14, but new rules will further separate adult and child accounts.
ORIs, such as social media platforms and forums, will be tasked with restricting harmful content for minors, based on definitions still to be determined by the government.
“Currently, access to 18+ content online is left to self-regulation. The new provisions suggest that the state will determine what information and services minors can access,” said Maxim Ali, a partner at law firm Comply, in comments to Forbes.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
