Effective Legal Regulations Enacted as of September 1st
In a series of new regulations effective from September 1, 2021, the Central Bank of Russia has introduced several changes aimed at consumer protection, online security, and child safety.
One of the significant changes is the implementation of a "cooling-off period" for loans and loans. This period, which varies based on the loan amount, prevents borrowers from receiving funds immediately after signing the contract. The duration can range from 4 hours to 48 hours, and during this time, a person has the right to refuse the loan. Violating this rule can result in fines for individuals of 3,000 rubles and for legal entities, including taxis, of 100,000 rubles.
Russian banks are now required to check for signs of fraud before issuing cash to clients. If suspicious signs are detected, the credit organization must limit cash withdrawal to two days and inform the person about the reasons for the restriction. If a bank violates the norm and a criminal case of fraud is initiated, the borrower will not be required to pay the debt.
In a move to combat extremist materials online, fines have been introduced for intentionally searching for such content, including using VPN. Both advertisers and advertising distributors will be held responsible for violating the ban, with fines ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 rubles for individuals, 4,000 to 20,000 rubles for officials, and 100,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities. Administrative liability for VPN advertising has also been established.
From September 1, it is prohibited to place advertisements on resources of restricted or undesirable organizations, as well as on sites with limited access. This includes social networks Instagram and Facebook (owned by Meta). Russians will be able to refuse mass calls through their personal account on the operator's website or application, and operators will have to block such calls.
In terms of child safety, the use of adapters, harnesses, and non-bucket car seats for child transportation is now prohibited. Drivers must yield to such vehicles and cannot drive alongside them at the same speed.
Another new procedure implemented is a medical examination for intoxication, with the interval between breath tests extended to 15-25 minutes. People who have been included in the Central Bank's database of fraudulent operations will be restricted to withdraw no more than 100,000 rubles per month through ATMs.
Lastly, from September 1, all calls from legal entities must have mandatory marking, displaying the name of the company or IP, their commercial designation, and category on the subscriber's screen during an incoming call.
These new regulations aim to enhance consumer protection, ensure online security, combat extremism, and promote child safety in Russia.
