Rada limits public access to company data in state registers

On Thursday, August 21, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law restricting access to information in public registers during martial law and for one year after its termination. Draft law No. 11533 was approved as a whole, with 231 MPs voting in favor—just above the minimum threshold of 226.

The declared purpose of the new law is to strengthen the security of defense-related enterprises. According to the explanatory note, details about the real estate of such companies are currently accessible in open state registers, which makes it easier for the enemy to identify potential targets for airstrikes.

The author of the bill, MP Ihor Fris, explained that the restrictions will apply only to sensitive information—such as the location of legal entities and data about their property (real estate and land plots).

He emphasized that the restrictions cover only electronic extracts from the registers, while access to full information in writing through registrars will remain available.

Fris also underlined that data on the property of officials and corruption suspects will still be open to the public.

"If journalists, investigators, or members of the public wish to obtain any information about individuals, they will still be able to do so—both electronically and in writing—and receive full details of the property, addresses, and ownership," the MP said.

However, the Main Scientific and Expert Department of the Verkhovna Rada raised concerns about the initiative, noting inconsistencies with its declared purpose, since some of the proposed changes would affect all legal entities, not only defense enterprises.

Fris defended this broader approach: "In December, the enemy hacked into the registers, and there is a high probability that large volumes of information about legal entities and property are already in their hands. If we now restrict access only to companies involved in weapons production, it will be like a red flag, making it easier for the enemy to identify defense industry enterprises."