Lawmakers in Russia’s lower-house State Duma recently passed a bill. It bans advertising through organizations designated as undesirable or extremist. This is a move likely to steer businesses away from promoting their services on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Russia added Meta, a US tech giant, to its list of terrorist and extremist organizations in October 2022. This is after accusing the company of tolerating Russophobia. Months earlier, authorities blocked Facebook and Instagram, making them accessible in Russia only through a VPN.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated that the bill would target certain companies. If passed into law, it would apply to those that openly pursue an unfriendly policy toward Russia. He added that it would also affect those spreading false information and foreign values.
He said that citizens and businesses continue to advertise on these platforms. Sometimes, they do so without realizing they are funding those who actively harm their country.
Now, the bill heads to the upper-house Federation Council before requiring the signature of President Vladimir Putin. The ban will take effect on September 1 if approved.
Violators would face fines of up to 2,500 rubles ($30) for individuals. Authorities could fine officials 20,000 rubles ($36). Businesses may face penalties of up to 500,000 rubles ($5,900).
Lawmakers signed a similar ban on advertising with foreign agents into law last year. This made it nearly impossible for designated independent media outlets to earn money.
