Armenian PM Pashinyan proposes ban on anonymous social media profiles

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed a legislative initiative aimed at banning anonymous profiles on social media platforms.

According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Pashinyan introduced the proposal while presenting the government's 2026–2031 program to the parliament. He suggested the creation of a mandatory identification mechanism, requiring users to verify their identities through official identification documents.

The Prime Minister has invited opposition factions to form a joint working group to address the implementation of this measure. He stated that if a consensus is reached, social media platforms could be legally required to deactivate accounts belonging to users who fail to verify their identities.

Pashinyan justified the initiative as a necessary step to combat the proliferation of fake profiles and curb anonymous activities on social media, which have increasingly become a focal point for political discourse in the region. This proposal reflects a broader global trend where governments are seeking greater accountability for online content, though such measures often spark debates regarding digital privacy and freedom of speech.