The proposal defines exchange points as technology through which internet traffic is exchanged through networks, meaning it would also apply to communication operators, Vedomosti reports.
That spells trouble for some of Russia’s largest operators, including Megafon, which is 25 percent owned by the Swedish company TeliaCompany, and Vimpelkom, which is 100-percent owned by the Dutch Veon.
MTS and Tele2 would also be affected, Vedomosti reports.
The ministry cited “the possibility of foreign interference with Russian internet infrastructure,” and a lack of “control over the internet traffic in Russia” as reasons for the amendment.