Ukrainian parliament to discuss bill on limiting social networks

The bill on limiting social networks will be discussed in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine until next month, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech, told Report.

"At the moment, we are considering two scenarios. The first is the possibility of imposing sanctions, because this was applied to Odnoklassniki and VKontakte. Then, the decision of the National Security and Defense Council will be submitted by presidential decree.

In principle, the network has no opportunity to operate in Ukraine. We have experience in Odnoklassniki, VKontakte. In the United States, such decisions have been made regarding TikTok. In Ukraine, this will most likely apply to networks that will not interfere with Russian propaganda," said the chairman of the committee.

Yurchyshyn noted that Telegram and TikTok are now the most dangerous in this regard: “In principle, there is another solution, which is to legally allow all social networks (Telegram, TikTok, Facebook, Viber, Watsapp, Signal) to show their proprietary systems. It is necessary to develop a mechanism of cooperation to limit Russian propaganda and disinformation. If the network does not do this, then it is declared opaque in Ukraine, and restrictions on state institutions begin.”

Regarding the allegations of violation of the right to freedom of speech in this matter, the MP said that the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees the freedom of speech of every person: “We do not violate it. Briefly, our goal is that an anonymous source or a channel that does not identify itself cannot fight for freedom of speech. Every country has the opportunity to fight for information security, to ensure the absence of criminal acts and abuses in the information space. The fight against disinformation and propaganda is not an attack on freedom of speech.”

Yurchyshyn said that now it has just been submitted to the Supreme Council, it is in the stage of legal and expertise assessment: "I think we will consider this issue before the summer. Our special services are currently in contact with the representatives of the networks. A few days ago, TikTok channels of 24 Russian propagandists were closed.”

The chairman of the committee emphasized that they actually have enough material: “We actively cooperate with Viber, YouTube, Facebook and block a number of channels related to Russian propaganda, using bots and fake accounts. This material is issued by either the National Security Council or the National Сouncil of Television and Radio Broadcasting. Based on this, a request is sent to the social network. Therefore, in principle, the preparatory procedure itself has already been carried out. There will be communication only between the official structures of Ukraine and the representatives of social networks.”