Control All & Delete
For at least 15 years, Moscow has tightened controls on the internet using centralised routing, deep surveillance, bans on websites and social media, throttling websites critical of Moscow and so on. Its latest restriction – in a new law expected to kick in Sep 1 – hits a new low, the most chilling of all. For the first time, internet users will be penalised simply for search queries govt deems are 'extremist'. And fined for using VPNs that help users bypass censorship. That's practically making reading an offence. The new law says users will be held accountable for 'knowingly searching for and accessing extremist materials', including through VPN services. Moscow's digital development minister reportedly said 'ordinary users will not be affected' by the new law. How that will be possible is unknown – analysts have called it a vaguely worded legislation.
Three points. First, justice ministry's list of 'extremist' materials stretches to more than 500 pages. Those banned in Russia for 'extremist activities' include entities associated with Kremlin critic and opposition politician, late Alexei Navalny. So, Putin's playing strictly by the Chinese playbook. Second, how this'll be monitored is unclear – will internet providers be expected to pass on browsing data and searches or will govt surveil? How will 'systems' differentiate those searching material for purposes of research? Third, the obscure language serves a purpose. The outcome is already as desired – creation of fear and self-censorship. Russians, reports say, are already unsubscribing from certain channels and deleting apps. Uncertainty the loosely worded law has unleashed has little to do with Moscow's claim of digital sovereignty – unlike China, it barely has the wherewithal in terms of funds, engineers or infra to do so – and everything to do with a crackdown on both Russian public and any attempts at political opposition.
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This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
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