# Fines established for violating age restriction requirements on social media

In Azerbaijan, fines have been established for violations of requirements related to the activities of social media platforms subject to age restrictions.

As Report informs, President Ilham Aliyev signed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, as well as to the laws "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information" and "On Protection of Children from Harmful Information."

According to the draft law, fines will be applied to social media providers for failure to provide, late provision, as well as provision of incomplete or distorted information to the authorized state body.

In such cases, officials face a fine ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 manats, and legal entities face fines from 15,000 to 20,000 manats.

In addition, for ignoring requests from the authorized body within five business days or providing incomplete or unreliable information, it is proposed to fine officials in the amount of 7,000 to 8,000 manats, and legal entities from 25,000 to 30,000 manats.

The draft law also provides for liability for violations of requirements to ensure the safe use of social networks by minors.

This refers, in particular, to the failure to apply age verification mechanisms for users when creating digital accounts, the absence of necessary technical and protective measures for users aged 16 to 18, and the failure to take measures to prevent the dissemination of harmful content threatening the life, health, honor, dignity, and other rights of minors.

Platforms may also be held liable for storing and using users' personal data for purposes unrelated to age verification, including commercial purposes and targeted advertising, as well as for refusing to delete content and personal data posted by a user before reaching the age of majority, upon request of the user themselves, their legal representative, or the authorized body.

For such violations, officials face fines from 8,000 to 9,000 manats, and legal entities from 35,000 to 40,000 manats.

In cases of repeated violations within a year, fines will range from 9,000 to 10,000 manats for officials and from 45,000 to 50,000 manats for legal entities.

The law will enter into force 12 months after its official publication.