AZE.US
Azerbaijan may be preparing to tighten its legal framework governing social media platforms, following remarks by a senior Interior Ministry official calling for stronger regulation.
Abulfat Rzayev, head of the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said during a panel discussion at the II Forum of Judges of Azerbaijan that the country needs a clearer legal basis to regulate social platforms and counter threats emerging from them.
Rzayev argued that loosely regulated social networks have increasingly become tools for criminal activity. He said existing legislation does not fully address modern digital challenges and warned that under the banner of free speech and media freedoms, adequate regulatory mechanisms have not been implemented in many jurisdictions.
His comments suggest that Azerbaijani authorities are considering legal changes that could expand oversight of online platforms. While the focus was framed around combating crime, such initiatives in other countries have often included broader measures – ranging from stricter content removal requirements to expanded powers for blocking accounts or restricting access.
No draft legislation has been made public, and officials have not specified what new measures could entail. However, the direction of the discussion indicates that the government increasingly views social media not only as a communication space but also as a national security concern.
The key question will be where Azerbaijan draws the line between tackling online criminal activity and preserving space for open digital discourse. Any forthcoming legislative proposals are likely to attract close attention from both technology platforms and civil society observers.