Kazakhstan

New Law on Mass Media came into effect: A new Law on Mass Media came into effect, defining all online publishers as mass media and including provisions on foreign media accreditation.

Blocking of Selftanu.kz: The MCI ordered the blocking of Selftanu.kz, a website for LGBT+ teenagers, citing the law on protecting children from harmful information.

Law 'On Online Platforms and Online Advertising' takes effect: The Law on Online Platforms and Online Advertising officially took effect, requiring platforms with over 100,000 daily users to appoint a legal representative and comply with content removal requests.

Ministry of Culture and Information (MCI) formed: The Ministry of Culture and Information (MCI) was formed, taking over responsibilities for mass media and online content from the Ministry of Information and Social Development (MISD).

Law invalidating penalties for insults against Nazarbaev adopted: Legislation on the recovery of unlawfully withdrawn assets was adopted, invalidating criminal code provisions penalizing insults against former president Nazarbaev and his family members.

Law 'On Online Platforms and Online Advertising' signed: The Law 'On Online Platforms and Online Advertising' was signed, regulating online platforms, advertising, content moderation, and protection of minors. It became effective 60 days after official publication.

Cyberbullying Law enacted: The Law on Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts... on the Protection of the Rights of the Child, Education, Information, and Informatization (Cyberbullying Law) was enacted, compelling platforms to delete cyberbullying content within 24 hours.

Law 'On the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development' became effective: This law mandates age markings (18+) and measures to prevent children's access to harmful information.

Domain registration rules amended: Government amended domain registration rules, enabling suspension of domain names if websites or their software are hosted outside Kazakhstan.

Defamation decriminalized: Defamation was decriminalized, moving from the criminal code to the code of administrative offenses, though insult remains a crime.

IMEI code system enabled: The IMEI code system was enabled, forcing operators to disable numerous unregistered mobile devices.

SORM technical regulations entered into force: New NSC-developed technical regulations for the System for Operational Investigative Measures (SORM) entered into force, granting real-time access to subscriber data.

Anonymous online comments banned: Users were required to identify themselves using government-issued digital signature technology or SMS verification to comment on domestic websites.

Amendments to Communications Law and Administrative Code: Amendments to the Communications Law obliged ISPs to monitor content, and the administrative code imposed fines for non-compliance with censorship orders. The Qaznet Trust Certificate was also legally introduced.

Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan became effective: The Criminal Code, which includes provisions for criminal penalties for online activities such as incitement of hatred, calls for seizure of power, appeals to terrorism, and dissemination of false information, became effective.

Prosecutor General’s Office authorized to shut down communication services: The Prosecutor General’s Office was authorized to issue orders to shut down communication services without a court order if networks are used for felonious aims, including dissemination of illegal information.