Internet memes mocking Vladimir Putin are now ILLEGAL in Russia

Russian media and telecom regulator Roskomnadzor this week reminded citizens that it is ILLEGAL to publish memes which portray real people in a way that does not reflect their "personality".

The blanket ban rules out almost all images of Russian President Vladimir Putin – who is the subject of a number of popular reaction memes.

An online meme – derived from the Ancient Greek mimeme – is defined as any activity activity, catchphrase or media which spreads from person to person.

Richard Dawkins first coined the word meme in his book The Selfish Gene, published in 1976, in an attempt to explain the way cultural information is disseminated.

Roskomnadzor made its announcement on Russian social media website VKontakte.

It clarified an existing Russian law which regulated how a person's image may be used and distributed.

"These ways of using [celebrities’ images] violate the laws governing personal data and harm the honour, dignity and business of public figures,” wrote Roskomnadzor, in a translation provided to the Washington Post.

Parody accounts and websites are also illegal under the new legislation.

According to Russian media, the strict clarifications to the law were made in light of a recent lawsuit filed by Russian singer Valeri Syutkin.

Mr Syutkin, who was a member of 1980s rock band Bravo, sued after a website published a meme which paired his photo with another artists' lyrics (which roughly translated to 'smack the b**** in the face').

A Moscow judge last week ruled in the singer's favour – and asked Roskomnadzor to publish an update to its "personal data laws".

If a Russian citizen believes their image is being used inappropriately online, they will now be able to report the offenders to Roskomnadzor or sue them independently.