This week, DR Analytica released the report “Yarovaya Law. One Year After”; Kyrgyzstan banned “grey” SIM-cards; New technology to replace old cash registers in Ukraine; Russia improved the digital security of nuclear power plants; New legislation fighting suicide groups to be developed in Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Russia; Russia introduced a new convention on Internet Governance to the UN; Azerbaijan to increase control over Internet media; Russia to introduce digital sick leave notes.
1. “Yarovaya Law. One Year After”.
DR Analytica has published a report that looks at the developments of the Yarovaya Law to explain its impact on the ICT sector in the Russian Federation and its near abroad.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications noted that the state does not plan to offer telecom operators compensation for implementations aimed at complying with the “Yarovaya Law”.
DR comments: Last week we announced that Russian authorities finally revealed the cost of the “Yarovaya Law” implementation
2. ID Required to Buy a SIM card in Kyrgyzstan.
The State Committee for Information Technologies and Communications in Kyrgyzstan introduced amendments to the Kyrgyz Republic’s Code on Administrative Responsibility. The amendments require telecommunication operators to sign a formal written agreement with all subscribers specifying their passport details.
DR comments: The Russian authorities are working on a change to a similar law in Russia that came into force in 2014.
3. New Technologies to Replace old Cash Registers in Ukraine.
Bill No. 4111, which is currently under debate in parliament, would allow companies to use devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones instead of the old cash registers.
4. Russian Nuclear Power Plants are more Secure now.
The Center for Cybersecurity of Automated Process Control Systems was established in Moscow. The main objectives of the new organization, focused on nuclear power plants, include the identification and neutralization of cyber-attacks, as well as facilitating quick remediation should a security breach occur.
5. Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Russia vs. “suicide groups” on Social Media.
A special commission was formed in Moldova to develop legislation aimed at preventing teenage suicide.
Uzbekistan creates a safe Internet for children with a limited list of secure websites. The main goal of the innovation is to protect young people from Internet resources that promote violence, pornography, extremism, terrorism or suicide.
At the same time, the Russian State Duma Committee for Legislation supported the introduction of criminal responsibility for creating so-called “suicide groups” on social media.
DR comments: We recently analyzed why these measures might not solve the problem of “suicide groups” on social media.
6. Russia Seeks the Right to Control the Russian Internet at the UN.
The Ministry of Communications has prepared a new UN convention on Internet governance. The main objective of the document is to ensure each state has the right to independently manage its segment of the Internet.
7. Azerbaijan Tightened Control over Internet Media.
The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted amendments to the law “On Information, Informatization, and Protection of Information”. Those amendments allow the government to control the activity of .az domains. Expert assessments indicate these legal changes are an attempt to “censor” the Internet.
8. Digital Sick Leave Notes to be Accepted in Russia.
Beginning July 1, 2017, digital sick leave notes will be accepted on a par with paper versions. The State Duma adopted the Law on the Electronic Sick Leave Notes, in its third reading. The Ministry of Labor, in turn, is ready to consider an initiative of the head of Sberbank, German Gref, regarding the introduction of electronic Employment Record Books.