Telephony operators in Russia will be required to suspend communication services for certain subscribers at the request of the Federal Security Service (FSB). Amendments to the federal law “On Communications” have been drafted by the Ministry of Digital Development, and the government commission for legislative activity has approved them, according to the Vedomosti publication, which cites sources within the executive branch.
According to the draft law, quoted by The Moscow Times, service providers will be required to suspend network access “to protect the security of citizens and the state against emerging threats”. The exact types of “threats” are not specified in the document, but it is mentioned that these will be determined by regulatory acts signed by the president and the government of the Russian Federation.
Currently, communication operators are already required to provide authorities, including the FSB, with information about subscribers and to provide support in operational activities, according to legislation. However, according to expert Igor Bederov, director of the T.Hunter investigation department, “until now there was no clear legal obligation to suspend services at the request of the security forces”.
Fintech Lab analyst, Sergei Vilianov, explained that since the spring of 2025 operators have begun to receive requests to suspend services from several institutions, which has led to delays of hours or even days in restoring the connection. “This act establishes, apparently, the unique authority that will regulate interaction with operators,” the expert emphasized.
He added that the measure could be applied in cases such as conducting anti-terrorist operations, preventing mass revolts or actions that threaten public order and national security, ensuring safety in emergency situations or during major state events, as well as combating organized crime.
According to the director of Telecom Daily, Denis Kuskov, this initiative is “a continuation of policies previously adopted to strengthen security, combat fraud and illegal activities”.