Russia's Internet Control

Topic: Unrest, Conflict and War

Russia is limiting internet access to counter Ukrainian drones.

The Kremlin is controlling online information in Russia.

Russia has started internet blackouts and banned foreign messaging apps.

President Putin wants to strengthen Russia's digital space.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says it's for security.

The reason is partly due to foreign companies not following Russian laws and security measures against Ukrainian drones.

Putin wants to control the digital space.

A report says Putin's internet crackdown is due to weakness.

The report says it's to control online narratives and prepare for a long war with Ukraine.

A professor says it's about maximizing control and digital repression.

The professor says the Putin regime is less optimistic.

What are the reasons behind Russia's internet control?

Controlling internet access

Russia has been jamming the web in regions across the country.

Moscow residents can't navigate or use apps when the internet is down.

Russia has strength in numbers, but Ukraine had an early technological edge.

The Kremlin says internet shutdowns are due to security measures against Ukrainian drones.

A report says the shutdowns are to establish a system to take Russia offline at times of choosing.

An expert says the shutdowns are not just about Ukraine.

It's about the state being all-seeing and all-knowing.

The real reason for internet outages may be secret, but one possibility is Putin preparing for control.

Putin may be planning to announce a win in Ukraine and control the narrative.

Bus passengers look at their smartphones in Moscow.

With internet control, Putin can avoid consequences and control dissent.

An expert says Putin knows there's a balance between controlling citizens' internet access and their daily lives.

Russia understands people need the internet, so it's a balance.

Russia is engaging in a more serious effort to control the internet.

Forcing MAX onto the public

The Kremlin is replacing foreign platforms with its state-run messaging app, MAX.

Putin signed a law to create a single national messenger app.

MAX is pre-installed on all smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs sold in Russia.

The state-run messenger app MAX is pre-downloaded on phones bought in Russia.

The Kremlin removed WhatsApp from the Russian internet and restricted Telegram.

Russia launched an investigation into Telegram's founder as part of a terrorism case.

Officials said Russian soldiers died due to Telegram being infiltrated by Ukraine and NATO.

Telegram denied the claims.

The founder of Telegram said Russia is trying to force people to use MAX.

Russians are being pushed onto a new messaging service linked to the Kremlin.

The MAX app can track user locations, record audio and video, and take screenshots.

The Kremlin can use this surveillance to punish critics and control narratives.

An expert says the real reason for MAX is to ensure data accessibility for security services.

MAX is a proxy for the state, giving it access to citizens' data and digital transactions.

It increases the state's capacity to surveil its own citizens.

Encouraging citizens to self-censor

After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia bolstered censorship powers and the influence of the FSB.

Putin imposed repressive laws and increased security this year.

The Russian president told the state digital watchdog and the FSB to step up the fight against terrorism online.

Putin gives a speech at the Federal Security Service board.

An expert says the state's capacities in this area are increasing.

There are people in trouble for posting anti-military content.

Russia remains a repressive environment for many people.

The ISW report suggests the powers given to the FSB have pushed Russians into self-censorship.

For Russia, it's more effective if the state can force people to self-censor.

This is how the Soviet system worked, with people deploying a public persona.

This is a throwback to the Soviet era, but augmented by digital technologies.

The FSB is punishing citizens for online activities deemed anti-Russia or anti-military.

An Iron Curtain-like shield

The ISW says the Kremlin is developing infrastructure to re-establish a police state and Iron Curtain-like shield.

Russia is trying to limit the flow of information from foreign sources.

An expert says the Kremlin has increased efforts to control growing dissent.

The Kremlin is trying to dictate the narrative by shutting off the internet and restricting foreign apps.

An expert says Putin is planning for widespread unrest in Russia.