Ukraine is considering banning Russian-language versions of websites

Svyrydenko instructed to work on banning Russian-language versions of websites in Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko instructed To the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, Ministry of Digital Transformation and Ministry of Justice to study the issue of possible restrictions or bans on Russian-language versions of websites in Ukraine. This is stated in the government's response to the electronic petition.

According to Svyrydenko, current legislation already obliges website owners to have a Ukrainian-language version, while the use of other languages is formally left to their discretion. However, in practice, the situation is complicated by search engine algorithms and the use of artificial intelligence.

Details of the government's position

The response to the petition states that even if there is a Ukrainian version of the websites, users are often automatically offered Russian-language content. This, according to the government, contributes to the further Russification of the Ukrainian Internet space.

Svyrydenko stressed that the formation of a full-fledged Ukrainian-language online environment requires systemic state policy, and the issue raised in the petition is becoming more and more relevant over time.

Possible legislative changes

Currently, the relevant ministries have been instructed to work out options for amending the legislation. Among the possible steps:

• introduction of a ban on Russian-language versions of websites;

• defining legal liability for resource owners;

• Adaptation of norms to the realities of search algorithms and AI.

Final decisions on the legislative initiatives have not yet been made.