On 27 April 2022, there was published on the legislation.gov.uk website The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations 2022.

These Regulations amend the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the 2019 Regulations) by adding new trade sanctions to Part 5 (Trade). These amendments will introduce new trade sanctions measures relating to internet services and online media services, for the purposes set out in regulation 4 of the 2019 Regulations. In particular, new regulation 54A of the 2019 Regulations (inserted by regulation 5 of the Regulations) requires providers of social media services, internet access services (i.e. internet service providers) and application stores to take reasonable steps to prevent their users in the United Kingdom from encountering or accessing online content generated by designated persons. Regulation 5 of the 2019 Regulations (amended by regulation 4 of the Regulations) confers on the Secretary of State the power to designate a person for the purposes of new regulation 54A. Failure to comply with a requirement imposed under new regulation 54A is a criminal offence.