A Joke Has Become a Crime: russian Social Networks Have Been Turned into a Field of Total Control

In russia, social network users are increasingly facing criminal prosecution for publications or even ordinary reposts. The most common grounds for opening cases are accusations of so-called “extremism” (Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the rf). This article covers not only incitement to hatred on national or religious grounds, but also harsh statements against “social groups”. In reality, these include officials, law enforcement officers, and members of parliament – so a critical post can result in a real sentence.

Another common basis for prosecution is Article 319 of the russian Criminal Code – “public insult of a representative of authority”. For the case, it is sufficient that it is clear from the context which official is being referred to, if he or she is acting “during the performance of his/her duties”.

Users are also punished for “offending the feelings of believers” (Article 148 of the Criminal Code of the rf). This provision covers satirical memes, jokes, cartoons, or critical statements about religious symbols. Cases can be initiated not only by state bodies, but also by private individuals who claim that their “feelings have been offended”.

There are also penalties for “rehabilitation of Nazism” (Article 354.1), “defamation” (Article 128.1), “violation of privacy” (Article 137), and “unauthorized access to computer information” (Article 272).

In fact, these norms demonstrate the russian authorities’ desire to establish complete control over the internet and to limit freedom of speech as much as possible. Social networks are turning into a space of total surveillance, where any critical post can become grounds for a criminal case, since the administrations of russian social networks transfer users’ data to investigators upon first request.