New fines have been established in Azerbaijan for violations of requirements governing the operation of social media platforms subject to age restrictions.
This is reflected in a law approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The document text has been published on his official website.
Officials will be fined from 6,000 manat ($3,529) to 7,000 manat ($4,118), and legal entities - from 15,000 manat ($8,824) to 20,000 manat ($11,765) for failure to submit the information specified in Article 13-4.13 of the Azerbaijani law "On information, informatization and protection of information", missing the submission deadline, or providing incomplete or distorted information to the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority.
If the provider of an age-restricted social media platform fails to respond within 5 business days to inquiries sent by the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority, or provides incomplete or distorted information, officials will be fined from 7,000 manat ($4,118) to 8,000 manat ($4,706), while legal entities - from 25,000 manat ($14,706) to 30,000 manat ($17,647).
Officials will be fined from8,000 manat ($4,706) to 9,000 manat ($5,294), while legal entities will face fines ranging from 35,000 manat ($20,588) to 40,000 manat ($23,529) for violations of the requirements for the safe use of age-restricted social media platforms, i.e.:
failing to apply the technical methods established under Articles 13-4.2 and 13-4.4 of the Law "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information" when creating a personal digital account, or applying them in violation of the requirements of Articles 13-4.2 through 13-4.5;
failing to ensure the technical and security measures specified in Article 13-4.11 of the law for personal digital accounts belonging to users aged 16–18;
failing to implement digital solutions operating on a continuous basis and ensuring prompt intervention to prevent the distribution of harmful content threatening the life, health, sexual integrity, honor, dignity, and other legally protected rights and freedoms of users aged 16–18, or failing to stop the distribution of such content within 24 hours after it is detected;
storing collected personal data in the information systems of social media platform providers, transferring such data to third parties, or using personal data for commercial purposes, targeted advertising (directed at a specific user), or any purpose other than age verification;
failing to ensure the deletion of information, shared content, and personal data posted by a personal digital account holder before reaching adulthood at the request of the individual, their legal representative if they are still a minor, or the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority.
If any of the above violations are committed again within one year from the date the decision imposing an administrative penalty enters into force by a person who has already been subjected to an administrative penalty, officials will be fined from 9,000 manat ($5,294) to 10,000 manat ($5,882), while legal entities will face fines ranging from 45,000 manat ($26,471) to 50,000 manat ($29,412).
