7 Feb 2019 19:56

Russian Accounts Chamber refuses to support Runet bill

MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax) - The Russian Accounts Chamber has voiced several objections in a letter about the bill on ensuring the reliability of Runet and has refused to support the initiative.

In its opinion, the Accounts Chamber said, "The implementation of the draft bill would lead to an increase in prices for goods and services in the Russian market, which poses the risk of raising budgetary expenses to pay for them at all the levels of the Russian fiscal system."

"If implemented, the bill would require additional allocations of federal budgetary funds," the Accounts Chamber said.

At the same time, the financial explanation attached to the bill said that the bill's enactment and implementation would not require any government spending.

However, it is proposed in the bill to oblige Internet communication providers to ensure installing, in their own networks, technical means for counteracting threats to the integrity, functional stability and security of the Internet and the public communication network in Russia.

The Accounts Chamber also noted that the bill suggests that technical means for counteracting external threats should be provided to communication operators free of charge by a federal government agency empowered to monitor and oversee compliance in the sphere of mass media, mass communications and IT.

The bill also suggests setting up a center to monitor and control a network of public use as part of the radio frequency service to take certain organizational, administrative and technical measures needed to implement the bill and holding training sessions aimed at improving information security and the integrity and operational stability of the Russian electronic communications network, the government agency said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Law on Budget for 2019 and for the planning period from 2020-2021 envisages no budgetary allocations for those purposes, it said.

In light of the above, the bill cannot be supported, the Accounts Chamber said in conclusion.

The relevant State Duma committee recommended earlier on Thursday that the lower house of the Russian parliament pass the bill on reliable Runet at the first reading and consider that at its session on February 12.