The Secretariat of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language continues to record systemic violations of the language rights of Ukrainian citizens on the Internet. Since the beginning of the year, more than 400 complaints have been received about violations of the law online. This was announced by the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language Taras Kremin, Komersant ukrainskyi
reports.
Kremin reminded that in accordance with part six of Article 27 of the Language Law, Internet representations (including websites, web pages in social networks) of state authorities, local governments, enterprises, institutions and organisations of state and municipal ownership, media registered in Ukraine, as well as business entities selling goods and services in Ukraine and registered in Ukraine, are carried out in the state language.
He noted that during the two years of this provision of the Law, a huge number of Internet resources have created a full-fledged Ukrainian version that is loaded by default and have fulfilled all legal requirements.
“But, unfortunately, there are those that have not yet done so or, for some reason, keep their home page in a foreign language. Therefore, in 2024, 161 state control measures were initiated against business entities that were identified following complaints from citizens. Most Internet resources had eliminated violations of the language law at the time of the state control measures,” said the language ombudsman.
According to the Ombudsman, as of 10 September 2024, 49 warnings have already been issued and 16 fines imposed for violating Article 27 (for the absence of a Ukrainian-language version of a website or for loading a website in a non-state language by default)
For violation of the law on the state language on the Internet, violators may be held administratively liable with a fine of 200 to 300 tax-free minimum incomes (UAH 3,400 to 5,100) or a warning if the violation is committed for the first time, Kremin reminded.
Repeated violations within a year are subject to a fine of 500 to 700 tax-free minimum incomes (UAH 8,500 to 1,900).
You can report violations of the Language Law through the electronic form on the website, send a letter to [email protected] or to the following address: 12 Muzeiny Lane, Kyiv, 01001.