Russian Federation

[RU] Rules on using social media for civil servants

IRIS 2016-9:1/26

Andrei Richter

Comenius University (Bratislava)

The State Duma (Parliament) adopted on 22 June and President signed into law on 30 June 2016 amendments to the federal statutes “On state civil service of the Russian Federation” (2004) and “On municipal service in the Russian Federation” (2007), that relate to the use by state and municipal servants of social media and other websites and/or webpages that may identify them.

The new rules demand from civil (municipal) servants and applicants to the positions of civil (municipal) servants that thay provide their employer with information on the addresses of the websites and webpages where they posted information that is publicly accessible, and data that enables to identify them.

Such information shall be provided by the servants annually by 1 April of next year. Applicants shall submit such information for a 3-year period prior to the year of their applications. Exceptions to this requirement shall be made for those civil (municipal) servants who disseminate online information as part of their official duties.

By a decision of the employer certain civil servants may be authorized to verify the data submitted as well as to “process” the information on the websites (webpages) posted by the civil (municipal) servants and/or applicants.