(PCM) While many of us get a good laugh out of the various internet memes that depict both celebrities and public figures in ridiculous situations, the Russian government doesn’t appear to share the same sense of humor.
Roskomnadzor, the Russian government’s media bureau, is now enforcing a new law that makes it illegal to create and post internet memes that depict public figures in a way that is irrelevant to that particular individual’s “personality”. So much for freedom of expression!
The new law states, “These ways of using (celebrities’ images) violate the laws governing personal data and harm the honor, dignity and business of public figures”. The new law also makes it illegal to create fake online accounts and websites for these individuals as well.
Of course, the internet did what it does best and there has been an explosion of hilarious Russian/Putin themed memes … probably more than before! Guess that new law kind of backfired!