“Recently, we’ve been inundated with requests to address the issue of ‘trash streams’. These are videos circulating on the Internet that depict acts of cruelty, sadism, and abuse towards both people and animals, with the sole purpose of generating profit and increasing viewership,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, State Duma Chairman, in his Telegram channel.
He mentioned that several legislative proposals are currently being discussed in the State Duma to address this issue. One of them is to classify ‘trach streams’ as information prohibited for distribution. “Social networks will be required to monitor and remove such content,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.
Besides that, organizers and participants of such streams will face fines of up to 700,000 rubles, and their equipment will be confiscated.
Vyacheslav Volodin pointed out that such streams will be considered aggravating circumstances and a qualifying feature under 10 articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including murder, intentional harm to health, assault, torture, and kidnapping.
“We’ll prioritize bills banning ‘trash streams’ during the spring session. These measures will discourage individuals from seeking to make money and gain fame on the Internet by bullying others,” concluded the chairman of the lower house.
