27.06.2025 13:43:00
Дата публикации
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information has opened a public consultation on draft amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, proposing a sweeping overhaul of how online platforms, TV and radio broadcasters manage content. The document is available on the “Open NPA” portal until July 10.
At the heart of the initiative are four key violation categories: illegal or extremist content, failure to meet state-language quotas on air, exceeding daily advertising limits, and non-compliance with the new Media and Online Platforms laws.
The most urgent concern is the lack of penalties for unlawful online content. In 2024 alone, state monitoring uncovered 78,539 illegal posts, yet by January 2025 only 24% had been removed—raising alarms over digital security and social cohesion.
To benchmark best practice, regulators point to the EU’s Digital Services Act, Germany’s NetzDG and the UK’s Online Safety Act, where platforms face fines equal to 6–10% of annual turnover or risk national blocking for repeated breaches.
Kazakh authorities also highlight that current state-language quotas on TV and radio remain largely unenforced, turning a constitutional requirement into a mere formality. Under the Advertising Law, no more than 20% of daily airtime may carry ads, yet the Code of Offences still lacks teeth on this point.
Another driver for reform is the entry into force of the new Media Law and the Law on Online Platforms and Online Advertising. Aligning the Code with these statutes aims to level the playing field for domestic and foreign platforms and streamline government oversight.
Proponents argue the changes will accelerate the removal of harmful or extremist material, curb misinformation and bolster public trust in digital media. They also forecast a revenue boost as foreign platforms register local representations and pay associated fees.
On the flip side, critics warn tighter rules could drive global platforms away and require costly upgrades to monitoring infrastructure—potentially straining smaller operators.
Notably, only the illegal-content provisions include detailed impact projections in the draft. The other three areas await quantitative estimates. The full text is slated for drafting in 2026, but the direction is clear: Kazakhstan is moving toward an EU-style digital regulation model.
At the heart of the initiative are four key violation categories: illegal or extremist content, failure to meet state-language quotas on air, exceeding daily advertising limits, and non-compliance with the new Media and Online Platforms laws.
The most urgent concern is the lack of penalties for unlawful online content. In 2024 alone, state monitoring uncovered 78,539 illegal posts, yet by January 2025 only 24% had been removed—raising alarms over digital security and social cohesion.
To benchmark best practice, regulators point to the EU’s Digital Services Act, Germany’s NetzDG and the UK’s Online Safety Act, where platforms face fines equal to 6–10% of annual turnover or risk national blocking for repeated breaches.
Kazakh authorities also highlight that current state-language quotas on TV and radio remain largely unenforced, turning a constitutional requirement into a mere formality. Under the Advertising Law, no more than 20% of daily airtime may carry ads, yet the Code of Offences still lacks teeth on this point.
Another driver for reform is the entry into force of the new Media Law and the Law on Online Platforms and Online Advertising. Aligning the Code with these statutes aims to level the playing field for domestic and foreign platforms and streamline government oversight.
Proponents argue the changes will accelerate the removal of harmful or extremist material, curb misinformation and bolster public trust in digital media. They also forecast a revenue boost as foreign platforms register local representations and pay associated fees.
On the flip side, critics warn tighter rules could drive global platforms away and require costly upgrades to monitoring infrastructure—potentially straining smaller operators.
Notably, only the illegal-content provisions include detailed impact projections in the draft. The other three areas await quantitative estimates. The full text is slated for drafting in 2026, but the direction is clear: Kazakhstan is moving toward an EU-style digital regulation model.
