- Статьи
- Economy
- Digital service: what are the prospects for the development of the platform economy in Russia
Digital service: what are the prospects for the development of the platform economy in Russia
A permanent subcommittee on the development of digital platforms is being created in Russia. In general, new opportunities are opening up for the platform economy in the Russian Federation: digital services have already become one of the key drivers of business growth, trade and employment. At the same time, the government is strengthening control over this area, creating new regulatory mechanisms and taking into account the experience of the European Union and China. How the platform economy will develop, why its contribution is becoming more significant, and what rules will determine the operation of digital platforms in the coming years — in the Izvestia article.
New features
The platform economy has already become one of the largest segments of the Russian digital economy. According to a study by the Higher School of Economics, in 2025 its contribution reached 8.5% of GDP, and the total turnover amounted to 18.3 trillion rubles. The market has grown sixfold in four years. The number of orders through marketplaces, delivery services and digital platforms has exceeded 12 billion. The platforms have become a full-fledged economic infrastructure.
The main economic effect is a multiple reduction in transaction costs. In particular, platforms reduce business costs for finding partners, concluding and executing transactions.
In the coming years, the platform economy may become one of the drivers of productivity growth. In particular, digital platforms reduce costs for companies, accelerate the search for suppliers and buyers, and help businesses enter new markets faster. Small businesses gain access to a federal audience without major investments in their own logistics and sales, which is especially important for the regions. The growth of platforms is also driving the development of logistics, payment services, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. As a result, business activity is increasing and the number of entrepreneurs working in the digital environment is growing.
But the potential lies not only in the field of trade. Platform solutions are increasingly being used in industry, construction, healthcare, transport, and public services. Therefore, the government is already including the development of platforms among the priorities of digital transformation. Thus, by 2030, more than 1 trillion rubles of budget funds will be allocated for the implementation of the national project "Data Economy". If the market maintains its current pace of development, the platform economy will be able to increase its contribution to economic growth, accelerate business digitalization, and increase the competitiveness of Russian companies.
Platforms have become the fastest way for small and medium-sized businesses to enter the market without having to create their own logistics and invest in large—scale advertising, the office of Deputy Prime Minister and head of the government Dmitry Grigorenko told Izvestia.
"They have provided consumers with more equal access to goods: residents of small towns can choose from the same assortment as residents of megacities, thanks to a network of warehouses and more than 270 thousand order pick-up points across the country, including sparsely populated areas. In addition, platforms create opportunities for the development of flexible platform employment," Grigorenko's office noted.
Global experience
Global practice shows that regulation should not limit the development of the industry. The Law on Digital Markets (Digital Markets Act) has been in force in the European Union since 2024. Its goal is to reduce the influence of large IT companies, increase competition and create fairer working conditions in the digital market. The main requirements of the document relate to the largest digital platforms, which are called "gatekeepers".
In the EU, such companies are required to ensure the compatibility of their messengers with the services of other developers and provide users with the opportunity to install alternative app stores. The law also prohibits the imposition of default browsers and search engines, and pre-installed programs should be easily removed. In addition, technology giants cannot artificially promote their own services in search results and rankings, as well as restrict sellers who offer products on other sites at more favorable prices.
In China, the authorities also continue to strengthen their control over technology companies in order to improve data security and ensure equal conditions for all participants in the digital economy. As part of this campaign, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China (SAMR) has imposed record antitrust fines on major IT companies, including Alibaba and Meituan, for abusing their dominant position. At the same time, the Chinese Cyberspace Administration (CAC) has tightened the requirements for data storage and transmission.
In addition, the new rules require technology companies to disclose how recommendation algorithms work in order to reduce the risk of user manipulation. As a result, the largest digital platforms have restructured their businesses to meet legal requirements, and the weakening of the leading players has created additional opportunities for the development of small and medium-sized businesses.
Domestic regulation
In Russia, the digital economy is still at the stage of active growth, therefore, in July 2025, Federal Law No. 289-FZ "On Certain Issues of Regulating the Platform Economy in the Russian Federation" was adopted, which will become effective on October 1, 2026. The document establishes rules for intermediary digital platforms, including marketplaces, classifieds, and delivery services, but does not apply to financial organizations, state and municipal information systems, investment platform operators, and electronic platforms for public procurement and bankruptcy bidding.
The new law primarily regulates the relationship between platforms and sellers. Now marketplaces will not be able to change the rules retroactively and are required to notify partners at least 15 days in advance. All the terms of cooperation should be collected in one contract, and the exchange of documents should be translated into electronic format. In addition, platforms are required to provide sellers with the opportunity to post all necessary information about goods in accordance with the law.
The document also strengthens the protection of buyers: platforms should provide a convenient mechanism for returning and exchanging goods, disclose information about sellers and prevent the sale of prohibited or unmarked products. The bill provides for administrative fines for violating the requirements: for platforms — up to 500 thousand rubles, for sellers — up to 200 thousand rubles in case of repeated violation. A permanent subcommittee on the development of digital platforms is also being created in Russia.
Today, despite the adopted law, aggregators can often violate the requirements without consequences, having already worked out and established liability standards, the head of the Popular Front told Izvestia. Analytics" by Olga Pozdnyakova.
— A real example: when paying through the aggregator for the selected seat on the plane, the passenger did not receive this seat due to the cancellation of the airline, and the aggregator refunded the amount minus its commission for the unproven service, although the law prohibits this. In reality, some aggregators belong to companies registered outside of Russia and communication with them is possible only through a bot or also online, but with an operator with a limited script," she said.
In the future, the role of digital platforms in the Russian economy is likely to continue to grow, although not as fast as before, Anastasia Zakharova, Associate Director for Sovereign and Regional Ratings at Expert RA agency, told Izvestia.
High costs and difficulties in achieving sustainable financial results will deter multiple growth, especially for small businesses. Nevertheless, the potential for expansion remains, including through those areas that have not yet been fully converted to the platform economy format due to the need for special regulation, for example, the alcohol market.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
