Forum: "New RuNet: Without Scammers and Anonymity"
On February 26, 2026, as part of the Russian Safe Internet Week, an expert session was held to discuss the transformation of regulatory approaches in the digital environment
The forum "New RuNet: Without Scammers and Anonymity," organized by ROCIT, took place at the HSE University Faculty of Law. Evgeny Diskin, Leading Research Fellow at the International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration, HSE University, participated in the expert discussion as a listener. The event brought together representatives from the State Duma, the Ministry of Digital Development, the Presidential Human Rights Council, and key IT industry experts.
The debate centered on the conceptual dilemma of online anonymity. It was noted that modern legal policy faces a choice between strict de-anonymization and preserving the foundations of digital freedom. Specifically, Anton Gorelkin, Chairman of the ROCIT Board, argued that anonymity is not a necessary tool for law-abiding citizens. In contrast, Igor Ashmanov, Member of the Presidential Human Rights Council, highlighted the risk of eroding democratic expression should anonymity be entirely lost. He suggested shifting the regulatory focus toward labeling harmful content (including deepfakes) rather than banning technological tools outright.
Considerable attention was paid to the multifaceted nature of anonymity and the deficit of expertise in the media environment. Andrei Tsyper, Media Executive Director at Rambler&Co, emphasized that in the "race for speed," platforms are losing the author's identity, making emotions the primary currency of our time. The discussion distinguished between technical and representative anonymity and acknowledged the impossibility of fully eliminating anonymous communities, requiring the state to focus on establishing zones of trust.
A significant portion of the discussion addressed the crisis in international cooperation and the risks of global network fragmentation. Media expert Pavel Pryanikov pointed to the extraterritorial nature of restrictions imposed on Russian digital platforms (including VK) abroad under the guise of copyright protection and content moderation. Such actions create barriers to informational influence and the growth of the domestic platform economy.
These conclusions were further expanded by futurist Ruslan Yusufov, who pointed out the systemic risks of inconsistent centralization. Concerns were raised regarding the emergence of a dual-circuit internet model: a "clean zone," resembling a medieval fortress with strict rules, and a surrounding "grey zone" devoid of legal protection. This model could stimulate the growth of the shadow sector and pose risks to law-abiding users.
In conclusion, participants noted that modern approaches to media regulation require a careful balance between ensuring security and preserving the fundamental principles of digital interaction.
