Russian Citizen Requests Facebook Block

Following the recent ruling of the Russian Appellate Court to block LinkedIn access in Russia based on the professional network service’s infringement of Russia’s Law on Personal Data, a St. Petersburg citizen requested the blocking of Facebook, based on other grounds.

On November 30, 2016, Mr. T.G. Bulatov brought an action before St. Petersburg City Court stating that Facebook severely undermines national security and violates the Decree of the President No. 683 ‘On National Security Strategy’, dated December 31, 2015.

Mr. Bulatov’s arguments for Facebook blocking included the dissemination of amoral and anti-religious sentiments, gay and feminist propaganda, and materials jeopardizing Russia’s territorial integrity, e.g., supporting Chechen and Siberian independence.

The Court rejected the claim on December 1, 2016 as it complied neither with the Civil Procedure Code nor with the Administrative Procedure Code. In particular, the claim contained no reference to provisions that could allow Mr. Bulatov to file this class action lawsuit on behalf of an undetermined group of people. The claim also contained no reference to Facebook’s infringement of a particular right or any other legal reference that would justify the blocking request.

By: Julia Zhevid

For more information, please contact russia@petosevic.com.

Source: NewDayNews.Ru website