Russia Drafts Criteria for National Registry of Digital Platforms
A new law set to take effect next year will classify marketplaces, ride-hailing apps, and food delivery services as intermediary digital platforms, reshaping the country’s employment landscape.
The Russian State Duma has approved legislation on digital platforms, which will come into force next year. Lawmakers and businesses are now working out the criteria for which companies will be included in a new national registry of intermediary platforms.
The law defines these platforms as ecosystems where operators, partners, users, and other players interact. Under the new framework, companies such as marketplaces, food delivery apps, and taxi services could all be registered. Experts estimate that roughly ten of the largest digital platforms will definitely qualify.
The legislation is especially important for self-employed Russians. It clarifies that their work with platforms is based on civil-law contracts, providing a legal foundation for gig work. Once listed in the registry, platforms will be able to freely collaborate with this growing workforce category.
Digital platforms are increasingly seen as a driver of Russia’s economy. They are shaping a new model built on three-way relationships between customer, platform, and contractor—a structure that could soon become the dominant form of employment for much of the country’s working population.
