Russians are increasingly asking for help in removing information from the Internet

According to law firms, in Russia there is a growing number of requests from citizens asking them to protect them from the illegal dissemination of personal data on the Internet. Users are asking for help to remove references to passport data, TIN and other identifiers from public platforms. According to lawyers, most often the problem is resolved out of court through an application to Roskomnadzor or an appeal to the site itself.

“Kommersant” got acquainted with the data of the BVMP law office and the legal service DestraLegal.ru, according to which in 2023 the number of requests from individuals with a request to protect the right to delete their personal data published without their consent (for example, on forums) increased by 10–15%. or on social networks), as well as on the protection of honor and dignity online in the event of publication of negative and defamatory information.

BVMP Advisor Susana Kirakosyan explains the trend with a significant increase in personal data leaks over the past two years, as well as the attention of legislators to the topic of the safety of citizens’ data: in 2023 alone, bills were introduced aimed at tightening administrative sanctions and introducing criminal liability for the use and transfer of personal data, obtained illegally.

Ms. Kirakosyan clarifies that usually “it is more interesting for the victim to ensure the protection of his rights not by administrative, but by private law measures.” For example, apply for the removal of the image and full name from the network and payment of compensation for moral damage, and if the request is not satisfied, go to court.

The observations of lawyers are confirmed by the data of the Center for Legal Assistance to Citizens in the Digital Environment of the GRCHTs (created on the initiative of Roskomnadzor, is a structural division of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Main Radio Frequency Center”, provides assistance in protecting rights and legitimate interests in connection with data processing in the digital environment). Thus, according to the organization, the total number of appeals from citizens in 2023 increased by 82%, to 3270. Of these, 759 appeals were claims, demands and lawsuits specifically on issues of personal data: “Every fifth appeal relates to the topic of unlawful processing of personal data of citizens, 7% of requests are on the topic of unwanted advertising, and every twentieth – on issues of protecting honor and dignity.”

DestraLegal.ru distinguishes two main groups of requests. The first are associated with leaks of personal data from large services, the second – with the dissemination of data by private individuals on social networks and forums, often with belittling of the honor and dignity or business reputation of the subject. The service clarifies that “at the moment, such disputes are resolved by contacting Roskomnadzor or directly to the site,” that is, mainly out of court.

The struggle for the safety of personal data is intensifying, including due to the growing demand for such services from ordinary employees and top management of corporate clients who have become concerned about the security of their data, confirms Comply lawyer Elina Mukhanova. She notes that “personal data can be distributed online with consent to its processing from the subject.” According to the law, the subject can specify what kind of data he agrees to the distribution of: “Everything that is not included in such consent is distributed illegally, with rare exceptions provided by law.”

The increase in citizen requests is unlikely to complicate the work of moderators of forums or social networks, says Karen Kazaryan, CEO of the Internet Research Institute: “The relevant part of the Law “On Information” has been in effect for several years. The platforms have established interaction with Roskomnadzor and learned how to select a staff of moderators and lawyers.”

Tatyana Isakova, Anna Zanina, Yuri Litvinenko