Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law banning advertising through organizations labeled as “undesirable” or “extremist,” a move widely expected to push businesses away from platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Set to take effect on September 1, the legislation imposes fines for violators: up to 2,500 rubles (around $30) for individuals, 20,000 rubles ($236) for officials, and 500,000 rubles (approximately $5,900) for businesses found advertising on blacklisted platforms.
U.S. tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was officially designated a “terrorist and extremist” organization by Russian authorities in October 2022. The move followed accusations that Meta tolerated “Russophobia.” Both platforms were blocked earlier that year, and are now only accessible in Russia through virtual private networks (VPNs).
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said last month that the law targets companies “that openly pursue an unfriendly policy toward our country and deliberately spread false information and values alien to us.”
The new measure builds on earlier legislation signed by Putin in March 2024 that banned advertising partnerships with organizations designated as “foreign agents.” That law severely limited revenue opportunities for independent media outlets operating under the foreign agent label.
The cumulative impact of these bans is expected to further isolate Russian businesses and media from global platforms and deepen the Kremlin’s control over the flow of information and commerce within the country.
