In today’s digital world, data is not just information — it’s a responsibility.
Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” is the cornerstone of Russian legislation in this field.
It requires every company and individual entrepreneur working with personal data to comply with strict rules.

Ignoring these rules can lead to serious fines 💸 and reputational damage 🚫.

What is 152-FZ and why is it important? ❓

Federal Law No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data” governs the relationships related to the processing (collection, storage, use, transfer, etc.) of personal data of individuals.

Its main purpose is the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals when their personal data is processed, including the right to privacy, as well as personal and family confidentiality. 🏠

👉 In simple terms:
If you collect, store, or use any information about people (full name, phone number, email, address, date of birth, etc.), you are required to do so in compliance with this law.

Who is a “data operator” and who does the law apply to? 👩‍💻

The law applies to almost everyone who processes personal data.

You are considered a personal data operator if:

• you have a website with a contact form where users leave their name and email;
• you collect phone numbers from clients for mailing lists or calls;
• you have employees and keep HR records (full name, passport info, tax ID, social security number);
• you maintain a database of clients or suppliers;
• you use a CRM system to store client information.

Even if your business is very small, and you are the only employee, but collect contact details through your website, you are still subject to 152-FZ.

Key Requirements and Principles of 152-FZ 🏛️

The law is based on several fundamental principles:

• Lawfulness and fairness
  Data processing must be lawful and must not violate the rights of data subjects.

• Obtaining consent
  In most cases, you must obtain consent from the personal data subject for processing.
  Consent must be specific, informed, and deliberate (often represented by a checkbox on a form).

• Purpose limitation
  You must clearly define the specific purpose for which the data is collected.
  Collecting data “just in case” is not allowed.

• Data minimization
  Only collect the data that is necessary for the stated purpose.
  For example, if you’re sending a newsletter, you likely don’t need your client’s passport number.

• Accuracy and relevance
  Data must be accurate and up to date.

• Storage limitation
  Store data no longer than necessary for the purposes of processing.
  Once the purpose is fulfilled, the data must be destroyed or anonymized.

• Data security 🔐
  You must take the necessary legal, organizational, and technical measures to protect personal data from:

  • unlawful or accidental access,
  • destruction,
  • modification,
  • blocking,
  • copying,
  • dissemination.

  This includes:

  • appointing a responsible person for data processing;
  • developing internal documents (privacy policy, data processing regulations);
  • using secure communication channels (SSL certificate for the website);
  • restricting access to the data.

• Data localization 🇷🇺
  A very important point!
  Personal data of Russian citizens must be stored and processed within the territory of the Russian Federation.

  This means that if you use a cloud service or hosting, its servers must be located in Russia.

What is considered “personal data”? 🤔

Personal data (PD) means any information related to a directly or indirectly identified or identifiable individual (the data subject).

Examples of PD:

• Full name
• Date and place of birth
• Residential address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Passport data, Tax ID, Social Security Number
• Workplace, job title
• IP address (in some cases)
• Cookies (if they can be used to identify the user)

Consequences of non-compliance with 152-FZ ⚠️

Violation of the 152-FZ requirements may result in:

• Administrative fines 💸
  Significant fines for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs (up to several hundred thousand rubles per violation, and up to millions for repeated violations).

• Resource blocking 🚫
  A court may block access to your website or information systems.

• Criminal liability
  In particularly serious cases.

• Reputational damage
  A data breach or failure to comply with the law can undermine customer trust.

Practical steps for small businesses and entrepreneurs 📝

Don’t be intimidated by the scope of the law! 🚀
Start with the basics:

1. Identify what personal data you collect
   Conduct a “data inventory” of all personal data you store.

2. Create a Privacy Policy
   Publish it on your website.
   It should be clear and include all required details (purposes, retention period, protection measures).

3. Get consent
   Make sure all data collection forms (contact, subscription, registration) include a checkbox:
   “I agree with the Privacy Policy / personal data processing”
   ⚠️ This box must not be pre-checked by default.

4. Check localization
   Make sure your hosting, CRM, and other services storing Russian citizens’ data are located in Russia.

5. Ensure data security

   • Use SSL certificates for your website
   • Use strong passwords
   • Limit access to data to those who really need it

6. Notify Roskomnadzor
   If you process personal data, you must notify Roskomnadzor about it.
   For small businesses, simplified forms are often applicable. Check the “Typical situations” section on Roskomnadzor’s website.

Complying with 152-FZ is not a formality — it’s a duty and an investment in your business’s security and your customers’ trust. 🤝

Start implementing these principles today to ensure the stable and legal growth of your project. 🚀