Russians will face fines if they search online for ¡°extremist¡± content under a new law that tightens censorship and could have sweeping ramifications for digital privacy and the fate of WhatsApp in the country.
The legislation, approved on Tuesday by parliament¡¯s lower house, the State Duma, has drawn criticism from some pro-government figures, as well as opposition activists. Opponents say the fines it prescribes, of up to 5,000 roubles ($63.82), could open the door to tougher charges and penalties.
The Ministry of Justice¡¯s list of extremist materials stretches to more than 500 pages. Entities banned in Russia for carrying out ¡°extremist activities¡± include late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny¡¯s Anti-Corruption Fund, the ¡°international LGBT movement¡± and U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms.
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