Taming Algorithms

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The purpose of the proposed regulation is to make the mechanism of recommendation algorithms transparent, the author of the bill, Deputy Chairman of the IT Committee Anton Gorelkin, emphasized in his speech at the extended meeting.

In the draft law, recommendation systems are defined as “information technologies for providing information based on the collection, systematization and analysis of data related to the preferences of Internet users located on the territory of the Russian Federation,” as noted in the explanatory note to the document.

According to the initiative, Internet content writing service platforms will be required to post a description of how recommendation systems work. In addition, the sources from which user data was collected will have to be indicated.

Roskomnadzor will be able to influence services that use recommendation algorithms in violation of the law

The agency will establish requirements for the content of information on the use of such systems. According to Milos Wagner, the relevant by-laws have already been prepared.




- Regarding information, the draft law provides for a by-law that will state what will be in this information message and where exactly it should be posted. We have already developed draft by-laws, and we invite you to discuss them. We are ready to demonstrate them without waiting for the adoption of the law and the government's plan for preparing by-laws.

Companies will have 10 days to correct the comments; if the site does not respond, it may be blocked.

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development generally supported the adoption of the bill. However, according to Bella Cherkesova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia, a number of its provisions should be revised.

Bella Cherkesova, Ministry of Numbers of the Russian Federation:

- Firstly, we note the need to establish a period during which the resource owner is obliged to comply with Roskomnadzor's requirement to prohibit the use of advertising technologies. Secondly, the need to establish deadlines for the agency to verify the reliability of information from the resource owner about the elimination of violations and its unblocking.

The Russian Presidential Administration also supports the legislative initiative, Svetlana Fedchenko, a referent for the Presidential Administration for the Development of IR Technologies and Infrastructure, said at the meeting. She called the proposed bill "very timely, if not a little late." She noted that

Public recommendation systems are now forming a personal information space

Svetlana Fedchenko, Administration of the President of the Russian Federation:

- The rules laid down in the bill are feasible and not burdensome for business and will be very useful for people. It is time to adopt it and start implementing it, and, if necessary, improve this legislation.

COMPETITION AND BUSINESS

Head of the Department for Regulation of Communications and IT of the Federal Antimonopoly Service Elena Zaeva noted that the bill not only protects the interests of citizens, but is also important for business.

Elena Zaeva, FAS:

– All our law enforcement practice shows that the placement of such information by services has a positive effect on the competitive situation in the relevant digital markets. The cases we have considered regarding Apple, Google, Yandex show that this information is necessary for both business consumers and competitors.