February 17, 2026

State Duma Passes Law Obliging Operators to Disconnect Any Communication Upon FSB Demand

The State Duma passed a bill in the second and third readings that will oblige operators to disconnect any communication upon the demand of the FSB. This is reported by TASS. The bill concerns amendments to the law 'On Communication.' In the first reading of the bill, it was stated that according to the initiative, the FSB would be able to send 'requests' to operators for communication blocking 'to protect citizens and the state from emerging security threats.' However, the previous day, 'Agentstvo' noted that changes were made to the bill by the second reading. Thus, the special service's 'request' was changed to 'demand.' In addition, deputies removed the mention of the government and 'security threats.' The current version of the bill suggests that only Vladimir Putin will establish restrictions, cyber lawyer Sarkis Darbinyan told 'Agentstvo.' Furthermore, the amendments will allow for communication restrictions not only due to 'security threats,' added 'First Department' lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov. 'OVd-Info' lawyer Valeria Vetoshkina noted that the bill will expand the FSB's powers. Due to the disappearance of mentions of the government and 'security threats' from the amendment, according to her, the introduction of shutdowns will be more centralized and less limited in grounds.