Telecom Operators May Be Required to Shut Down Networks in Case of Security Threats

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The Russian State Duma plans to consider a package of bills related to telecommunications operators and the protection of critical information infrastructure (CII) during a plenary session, according to TASS.

Members of parliament will discuss new amendments to the "Telecommunications Law." The document stipulates that operators will be required to restrict or terminate telecommunications services upon request from the Federal Security Service (FSB) in the event of security threats, including situations involving drone attacks. Simultaneously, the proposal suggests exempting operators from liability for non-performance of obligations to subscribers if disconnection occurs at the request of a security agency.

In the first reading, lawmakers will also consider a bill introducing administrative liability for violations of CII facility operation rules. The amendments propose adding a new article to the Code of Administrative Offences. If the violation does not constitute a criminal offense, fines could range from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles for individuals, 10,000 to 50,000 rubles for officials, and 100,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

In parallel, deputies will discuss an initiative to exempt individuals from criminal liability for offenses in the CII sphere provided they actively assist in the investigation.

The bill also clarifies the composition of crimes in this area. It proposes that criminal liability may arise in cases of unauthorized access to protected information or violations of data storage device operation rules if such actions result in the destruction, blocking, modification, or copying of information on critical infrastructure facilities.