The Federal Law is designed to improve criminal safeguards for public security, public order, and state authority.
To this end, criminal liability is established for the use of subscriber traffic gateway terminals (SIM boxes) or virtual telephone exchanges, as well as for ensuring the operation of traffic gateway terminals (including their core components), if such acts are committed for the purpose of perpetrating another crime or have resulted in grave consequences.
Criminal liability is introduced for organising activities related to the transfer of subscriber numbers allocated to users of mobile radiotelephone communications services to third parties in violation of the legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as for organising activities related to the transfer of Internet accounts to third parties, if such acts are motivated by mercenary interests or performed for the purpose of committing another crime.
A crime committed with the use of software and hardware tools enabling access to restricted information resources or information and telecommunications networks (VPN services) shall be considered an aggravating circumstance during sentencing.
Furthermore, criminal liability is established for foreign officials or officials of public international organisations or international bodies – in which the Russian Federation does not participate – conducting investigative or other procedural actions, or operational-search activities, on Russian territory in the interests of such foreign states, public international organisations, or international bodies. This includes actions carried out through video conferencing systems or other means of communication in violation of procedures established by international treaties or the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Corresponding amendments are introduced into the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation to define the jurisdiction and investigative authority for criminal cases related to the aforementioned offences.