The law on recommendation algorithms has been signed

Amendments have been made to the Federal Law "On Information, Information Technologies, and Information Protection" that establish specific provisions for the provision of information using recommendation technologies. These amendments will come into effect on October 31, 2023.

Federal Law No. 408-FZ of July 31, 2023, known as the "Law on Recommendation Algorithms," will require owners of resources with recommendation algorithms to inform users about the use of such algorithms and disclose the rules governing their functioning. In particular, users must be informed of:

• The processes and methods of collecting, organizing, and analyzing information about user preferences, as well as the provision of information based on this data and the methods employed.
• The types of information related to user preferences that are utilized in providing information using recommendation algorithms, and the sources from which such information is obtained.

The Law on Recommendation Algorithms prohibits the use of recommendation technologies that violate the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and organizations, as well as Russian legislation. Monitoring compliance with these requirements will be carried out by Roskomnadzor:

• Roskomnadzor is granted the authority to block recommendation algorithms and even entire resources if they are deliberately used for purposes that violate Russian legal norms.
• However, resource owners are given a 24-hour period to voluntarily cease information provision using recommendation algorithms upon demand by Roskomnadzor in order to avoid blocking.

Importantly, recommendation algorithms are widely used by companies for various purposes, ranging from commercial offers to news feed curation. The authors of the law hope that its implementation will make recommendation mechanisms more transparent and help prevent their unlawful use.

See Federal Law No. 408-FZ of July 31, 2023, "On Amendments to the Federal Law 'On Information, Information Technologies, and Information Protection'".

Nadmitov, Ivanov and Partners Law Firm advises on the regulation of artificial intelligence as well as matters related to personal data, information security, and electronic services.