Information Abuses by a Private Detective and the Limits of Applying Part 2 of Article 203 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Criteria for Grave Informational Consequences
( Pp. 116-125)
More about authors
Roman E. Shvetsov
applicant, A. V. Kligman Department of Advocacy and Criminal Law Disciplines, Moscow, Russian Federation; advocate; Moscow Chamber of Advocates; Moscow, Russian Federation
G. B. Mirzoev Russian University of Advocacy and Notariat
Moscow, Russian Federation, Moscow Chamber of Advocates, Moscow, Russian Federation
G. B. Mirzoev Russian University of Advocacy and Notariat
Moscow, Russian Federation, Moscow Chamber of Advocates, Moscow, Russian Federation
Abstract:
Abstract: The purpose of the article is to determine the limits of applying Part 2 of Article 203 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation to information abuses by a private detective. Based on formal legal, systemic structural and law-enforcement analysis, the article substantiates that the qualified structure of this provision is mainly focused on a violent and security-oriented model of excess of authority: violence, threat of violence, use of weapons or special means of physical coercion and grave consequences. However, typical acts of private detectives are connected not with physical coercion, but with illegal obtaining, use and transfer of protected information: private life data, secrecy of communications, banking and tax secrecy, personal data, computer information and data from restricted information systems. Based on judicial practice, the article shows that the current wording of Part 2 of Article 203 does not provide a clear legal instrument for assessing grave informational harm. The author concludes that a substantial violation of rights under Part 1 of Article 203 should be distinguished from grave informational consequences caused by massive, long-term, sensitive or irreversible illegal circulation of protected data.
How to Cite:
Shvetsov, R.E. (2026). Information Abuses by a Private Detective and the Limits of Applying Part 2 of Article 203 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Criteria for Grave Informational Consequences. Gaps in Russian Legislation, 19(3), 116-125. DOI: 10.33693/2072-3164-2026-19-3-116-125. EDN: EEUYUV
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Osipov D.D. Excess of authority by a private detective or an employee of a private security organization: a brief analysis of selected subjective features of the corpus delicti. Law and State: Theory and Practice, 2022, No. 11 (215), Pp. 52–55. DOI: 10.47643/1815-1337_2022_11_52. EDN: VPGBOZ. (in Rus.)
Khrenova I.V. On the object of the crime in the form of excess of authority by a private detective or a private security guard in the performance of official duties. Law and Legislation, 2024, No. 7, Pp. 220–223. DOI: 10.24412/2073-3313-2024-7-220-223. EDN: ZUFPFN. (in Rus.)
Bunova I.I. Problems of qualifying illegal circulation of special technical devices intended for covert obtaining of information. Bulletin of Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 2023, No. 3, Pp. 59–64. DOI: 10.24412/2073-0454-2023-3-59-64. EDN: AVEZPU. (in Rus.)
Usov E.G. On the issue of qualification of a crime under Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Baikal Research Journal, 2018, Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 19. DOI: 10.17150/2411-6262.2018.9(1).19. EDN: XPFSUP. (in Rus.)
Akhmedov A.G., Pcholovsky N.K. Issues of organizing operational-search counteraction to illegal circulation of special technical devices intended for covert obtaining of information. Journal of Legal and Economic Studies, 2023, No. 3, Pp. 166–174. DOI: 10.26163/GIEF.2023.86.17.023. EDN: LROINC. (in Rus.)
Fedotova N.V. On the subject of the crime of violating the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, telegraph and other communications. Business in Law, 2008, No. 3, Pp. 98–101. EDN: JWSLVX. (in Rus.)
Mosechkin I.N. Problems of criminal-law protection of critical information infrastructure of the Russian Federation. Russian Journal of Criminology, 2023, Vol. 17, No. 1, Pp. 22–34. DOI: 10.17150/2500-1442.2023.17(1).22-34. EDN: OLQBCA. (in Rus.)
Piskaikina V.M., Monetov A.G. The problem of personal data protection in the era of digitalization. Russian Studies in Law and Politics, 2025, Vol. 9, No. 2, Pp. 124–140. DOI: 10.12731/2576-9634-2025-9-2-238. EDN: TCZLPF. (in Rus.)
Piskaykina V.M., Monetov A.G. Problema zashchity personal nykh dannykh v epokhu tsifrovizatsii // Russian Studies in Law and Politics. 2025. T. 9. № 2. S. 124 140. DOI: 10.12731/2576-9634-2025-9-2-238. EDN: TCZLPF.
Keywords:
private detective, Article 203, excess of authority, informational harm, grave consequences, special means, secrecy of communications, private investigation.
