Posting Personal Data in Building Chats Can Lead to Fines or Prison
Up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of 200 thousand rubles (about $2,200 at current rates) threaten those who post personal information of residents in common chats of apartment buildings without their consent. This was reported by RIA News deputy of the State Duma, member of the committee on construction and housing and communal services Alexander Yakubovsky.
The parliamentarian emphasized that chats created for discussing building-wide issues with a large number of participants are often recognized as public space. Therefore, illegal distribution of personal data in them can lead to serious liability.
What penalties are provided?
Under Article «Violation of the legislation of the Russian Federation in the field of personal data» 13.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (administrative liability) the fine for citizens can reach 15 thousand rubles (about $167 at current rates).
In more serious cases, Article «Violation of privacy» 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (criminal liability) may be applied. It provides for a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles (about $2,200 at current rates) or imprisonment for up to two years.
What is considered personal information?
Yakubovsky classified the publication of addresses, phone numbers, and any other private information about citizens as personal data protected by law.
Anonymity will not save you
The deputy also warned that attempts to maintain anonymity in messengers are not a guarantee of protection from liability.
«Screenshots of correspondence, testimony of chat participants, and data obtained from service administrators are accepted by courts as evidence,» concluded Alexander Yakubovsky in a conversation with RIA News.
This applies not only to the distribution of personal data, but also to insults and negative comments. If a statement has caused hatred or enmity or humiliated human dignity on racial, national, religious, or social grounds, the fine can reach 500 thousand rubles (about $5,600 at current rates), and imprisonment for up to five years is also possible.
