Recent amendments to the legislation regarding the prohibition of acts of public disrespect on social networks and internet platforms have sparked wide public debate. Although these changes initially aim to protect public morality and social values, they raise several important questions in legal practice.

Could these amendments lead to an increase in defamation and slander-related allegations?

According to Attorney Səma Ahmadova, one of the professional lawyers of our company:

“With the recent amendments, additional restrictions on online content have been introduced into the Law ‘On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information’. The updated provisions prohibit the online dissemination of expressions, gestures, and images that insult public morality, demonstrate open disrespect toward society, as well as the display of the human body in a manner contrary to national and moral values.   The primary purpose of the legislation is explained as the protection of public ethical standards and moral values. However, the absence of clear legal definitions for terms such as ‘immoral expressions,’ ‘morality,’ and ‘national-moral values’ may lead to interpretational differences in practical application. Since these subjective concepts can be assessed differently by various audiences, they may impose additional obligations on online platforms in terms of both content moderation and legal compliance. At the same time, the new regulation may require social media users, content creators, and platforms to act more cautiously. The concept of public morality varies depending on cultural and social contexts and may therefore be interpreted differently in different situations. Ultimately, the actual impact of these amendments will become clearer as enforcement mechanisms are developed. The key issue lies in maintaining a balance between freedom of expression, ethical regulation, and legal certainty during practical implementation.”

What do the legislative amendments provide for?

Content that: openly demonstrates disrespect toward society, explicitly violates moral norms, creates public hatred or insult may now result in administrative or other forms of legal liability.