Ozon launches ad service – Vedomosti

The Ozon marketplace has launched its own service for online ads for individuals. However, the company is worried about the future of the classification due to the possible adoption of amendments to the law “On Information”, writes Kommersant, citing a letter from the company to the Ministry of Economy dated July 6.

The Ozon Ads service operates as a separate section on the marketplace. On the company website notedthat now customers can post ads for the sale and purchase of new and used goods, and discounted goods from the online store are also available on the page.

Currently, “Announcements” work only in Rostov-on-Don. The company clarified that in the near future the service will become available to all Ozon users.

In the letter, which Kommersant writes about, the marketplace comments on the amendments to the law “On Information” introduced to the State Duma in early June by Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma committee. According to the initiative, the share of foreigners in ad services should be limited to 20%.

The company is concerned that the adoption of the bill in its current form “will require the complete cessation of Ozon’s activities or the closure of the ad placement service.” The document notes that this may affect the economic situation of both the company itself and Russian citizens.

At the same time, in July, amendments to the law “On Advertising” adopted in the first reading were submitted to the State Duma. According to the document, a single operator will manage all advertising screens, as well as classifieds. The need for this is explained by the protection of services from cyber attacks.

According to Kommersant, a number of major market participants (Avito, Yula, HeadHunter, etc.) and government agencies have already opposed the adoption of the amendments. According to the head of the Ministry of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev, if the bill is adopted, there is a risk of monopolization of the markets. However, the authors of the amendments argue that this is not the case.

Subscribe on Vedomosti on Telegram and stay up to date with the main economic and business news.