Russian Parliament moves to end anonymity on messenger apps

Proposes penalty for messenger apps continuing to allow communication among anonymous users

The Duma’s Information and Technology Committee has approved controversial draft legislation that would ban anonymity on online messengers. The Duma committee recommends the draft law for consideration of its first reading, after which the bill would return to committee for any necessary amendments.

The Parliament has not yet set a date for a vote on the law’s first reading. If passed and signed by President Putin, the law would take effect at the beginning of 2018.

Duma deputies introduced the legislation on May 24. The law would require messenger users to verify their identities using their phone numbers, requiring mobile phone operators