The current interpretation of the new law is incorrect.The occurred confusion can be explained by the lack of objective and qualified information on Belarusian Internet regulation and the ambiguity of the provisions of the Edict on regulation of Internet.
In short, basing on the comments of the regulator and opinion of Belarusian leading law firms, the common interpretation has been worked out: the hosting requirement is applicable only to Belarusian legal entities and entrepreneurs. Only Belarusian residents can be fined and (approx EUR 32 to EUR 96), but not to Internet users trying to access websites violating the Edict.
There are no legal obstacles for any Belarusian resident to operate a website under international top-level domain names (.com, .net, etc.) or national domain names of other states (.ru, .ch, it. etc.).
Neither visiting foreign websites is considered as a violation nor has any of foreign websites been blocked as both these measures are not prescribed by the Edict.
For correct understanding, please, consider the true-to-life (or at least the most objective) legal interpretation of the current Internet regulation in Belarus, available at my Blog dedicated to IT and Internet regulation in Belarus available at http://www.ITlaw.by
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Aleksey Ponomarev.
Internet regulation in Belarus
In short, basing on the comments of the regulator and opinion of Belarusian leading law firms, the common interpretation has been worked out: the hosting requirement is applicable only to Belarusian legal entities and entrepreneurs. Only Belarusian residents can be fined and (approx EUR 32 to EUR 96), but not to Internet users trying to access websites violating the Edict.
There are no legal obstacles for any Belarusian resident to operate a website under international top-level domain names (.com, .net, etc.) or national domain names of other states (.ru, .ch, it. etc.).
Neither visiting foreign websites is considered as a violation nor has any of foreign websites been blocked as both these measures are not prescribed by the Edict.
For correct understanding, please, consider the true-to-life (or at least the most objective) legal interpretation of the current Internet regulation in Belarus, available at my Blog dedicated to IT and Internet regulation in Belarus available at http://www.ITlaw.by
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Aleksey Ponomarev.
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