RIF 2021: How to Become a Legend
The legendary Russian Internet Forum (RIF) returned to its iconic venue at Lesnye Dali for its 25th anniversary, bringing together leading businesses, government voices, and a new generation of digital talent. The discussions and celebrations reflected not only Runet’s growth but also the challenges of keeping pace with fast-evolving technologies.
Numbers and Trends
The opening session, 'Numbers and Trends 2021/2022,' set the tone with fresh analytics. Alexander Khinshtein, head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, highlighted Runet’s unprecedented growth and emphasized that the internet must remain safe and open. He noted, 'Russia has one of the most liberal legal frameworks for digital technology. I hope we keep that trend.
The fact that Russian is the world’s second most-used online language is an opportunity to expand our influence well beyond the country.' Market data supported this optimism: marketing and advertising grew 11 % over 2019, e‑commerce 22 %, infrastructure 20 %, and digital content a striking 44 %. Overall, Runet’s economy expanded 22 %. Yet the abundance of apps, devices, and user distractions lowered the nation’s digital literacy index. To counter this, the nationwide 'Digital Dictation' campaign saw triple the participation of 2020. Sergey Grebennikov, director of ROCIT, dispelled the notion that teenagers are the most prepared for digital risks, showing instead that they are the most vulnerable — reinforcing the case for digital literacy classes in schools.
No Ties Allowed
The forum’s closed-door 'IT Saturday Without Ties' meeting featured Sergey Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Administration. Business leaders proposed forming a Russian Digital Community to guide and support domestic IT careers.
Kiriyenko endorsed the idea, stressing the need to account for real demands of IT professionals and to respond quickly to industry challenges. He also encouraged the tech community to engage in parliamentary elections. To mark the forum’s anniversary, 25 Runet pioneers received commemorative awards for long-standing contributions.
Challenges and Solutions
Core discussions explored AI transformation, human‑tech interaction, digital audio as the next frontier, Gen‑Z shopping habits, influencer marketing, and digital product management. A dedicated track on social engineering exposed persistent gaps in financial and information security. Users continue to click suspicious links, install unverified software, and share confidential data with unknown parties.
During the pandemic year, over 6,000 domain names related to coronavirus were registered, many by fraudsters selling fake vaccination certificates. Phishing attacks also climbed sharply. Experts called for stronger support of the Russian language online, including internationalized domain names (IDN), and pointed to Podderzhivayu.rf, a new portal created to engage software developers and service providers.
More Than Serious Business
A 25th anniversary called for a 25th‑level celebration. Guests joined yoga sessions, martial arts workouts, and the traditional IT run, while evenings featured parties, concerts, and live quizzes. The closing day sparked a vivid flash mob. Seasoned IT veterans served sweets, music, and hospitality in themed tents, but the hottest spots remained immersive sessions: gaming and creative tracks that pulled participants directly into the action.
New formats like the first Anonymous Marketers Club, FuckUp Night, clubhouse-style rooms, brainstorms, raffles, a grill station, and hookah lounges kept energy high. A dedicated car-sharing service ensured smooth transport, and a charity drive collected new and gently used tech for large families. Streaming services and digital TV operators enabled a wide online audience to follow the forum live.
