Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the virtual World Economic Forum via video link in Moscow, Russia, Jan 27, 2021. (MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV, SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a bill into law introducing fines for internet service providers who censor Russian media or disrupt the proper functioning of the internet on Russian territory.

According to the new law, internet platforms censoring Russian media outlets could be fined 50,000-3,000,000 rubles (US$679-40,710)

According to the new law, internet platforms censoring Russian media outlets could be fined 50,000-3,000,000 rubles (US$679-40,710).

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Entities that attempt to harm the stable functioning of the Russia segment of the internet could be fined 20,000-700,000 rubles (US$271-9,499).

Fines for violations of personal data protection measures are raised to as much as 500,000 rubles (US$6,785).

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The bill was approved by the Federation Council, or the upper house of the Russian parliament, on Feb 17.