Federal Service for Supervision of Communications (Roskomnadzor)

Background

The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, known as Roskomnadzor, is a Russian federal executive body responsible for oversight in the fields of communications, information technology, and mass media. Its mandate includes supervising compliance with Russian regulations on telecommunications, digital services, media operations, and the handling of personal data. The agency matters because it sits at the center of state oversight over major parts of Russia’s information environment, including internet services and digital platforms.

Roskomnadzor operates within the Russian executive branch and is part of the system of federal services subordinate to the government. It is headed by a senior official appointed within the federal administration and carries out its responsibilities through central offices and specialized divisions dealing with communications supervision, media regulation, information technology, and personal data protection. In practice, the agency interacts with ministries, regulators, telecommunications operators, online platforms, and media organizations as part of the broader state framework for regulating information infrastructure and digital activity.

The agency’s role has expanded alongside the growth of digital platforms and online services in Russia, with recent policy attention focused on regulating the platform economy. According to current reporting, Roskomnadzor is involved in preparing proposals on issues such as user personal data protection for digital platforms, reflecting its continuing relevance in data governance and platform oversight. This work builds on its established functions in supervising the collection, processing, and use of personal information, while also linking it to newer state priorities in the digital economy.