Latest news with #internetcontrol
CTV News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Putin signs a bill punishing online searches for information deemed ‘extremist'
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded 'extremist,' the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet. The legislation, which has been approved by both houses of parliament earlier this month, makes what it describes as 'deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials' online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of US$60. In Russia, the official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation, created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and the 'international LGBTQ+ movement.' It's not clear how authorities will track down violators. Officials and lawmakers said ordinary internet users won't be affected and that only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted. They did not explain how authorities would differentiate between them. Russians widely use VPN services for access to banned content, but authorities have sought to tighten restrictions and close the loopholes. The state communications watchdog has increasingly used technology to analyze traffic and block specific VPN protocols. Russian authorities have ramped up their multipronged crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts and comments have soared. Multiple independent news outlets and rights groups have been shut down, labeled as 'foreign agents' or outlawed as 'undesirable.' Hundreds of activists and critics of the Kremlin have faced criminal charges. The Associated Press
Washington Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Putin signs a bill punishing online searches for information deemed 'extremist'
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded 'extremist,' the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet. The legislation, which has been approved by both houses of parliament earlier this month, makes what it describes as 'deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials' online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of $60.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin signs a bill punishing online searches for information deemed 'extremist'
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded 'extremist,' the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet. The legislation, which has been approved by both houses of parliament earlier this month, makes what it describes as 'deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials' online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of $60. In Russia, the official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation, created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and the 'international LGBTQ+ movement.' It's not clear how authorities will track down violators. Officials and lawmakers said ordinary internet users won't be affected and that only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted. They did not explain how authorities would differentiate between them. Russians widely use VPN services for access to banned content, but authorities have sought to tighten restrictions and close the loopholes. The state communications watchdog has increasingly used technology to analyze traffic and block specific VPN protocols. Russian authorities have ramped up their multipronged crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts and comments have soared. Multiple independent news outlets and rights groups have been shut down, labeled as 'foreign agents' or outlawed as 'undesirable.' Hundreds of activists and critics of the Kremlin have faced criminal charges. The Associated Press
Associated Press
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Putin signs a bill punishing online searches for information deemed 'extremist'
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded 'extremist,' the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet. The legislation, which has been approved by both houses of parliament earlier this month, makes what it describes as 'deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials' online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of $60. In Russia, the official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation, created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and the 'international LGBTQ+ movement.' It's not clear how authorities will track down violators. Officials and lawmakers said ordinary internet users won't be affected and that only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted. They did not explain how authorities would differentiate between them. Russians widely use VPN services for access to banned content, but authorities have sought to tighten restrictions and close the loopholes. The state communications watchdog has increasingly used technology to analyze traffic and block specific VPN protocols. Russian authorities have ramped up their multipronged crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts and comments have soared. Multiple independent news outlets and rights groups have been shut down, labeled as 'foreign agents' or outlawed as 'undesirable.' Hundreds of activists and critics of the Kremlin have faced criminal charges.
Reuters
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Kyrgyzstan bans online porn in crackdown on internet freedoms
BISHKEK, July 29 (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday. Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The legislation requires internet providers to block websites based on decisions by the ministry of culture. Violators will face fines. Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020. He has made the protection of what he calls traditional Kyrgyz values a centrepiece of his agenda. Also on Tuesday, Japarov signed a decree imposing a state monopoly on international internet traffic. Under the decree, state-owned telecoms company ElCat will become Kyrgyzstan's sole provider of international internet traffic for a year-long trial period, starting on August 15. All other Kyrgyz telecom operators will be required to transfer their contracts for international bandwidth to ElCat within two months. Bishkek-based political analyst Emil Juraev told Reuters: 'This decision only adds to the growing role of the state at the expense of market freedom in Kyrgyzstan.' The move comes ahead of a parliamentary election due in 2026, and a presidential poll due in 2027. Japarov, whose allies dominate the legislature, has indicated he will run again.
