Putin signs a new law that tightens censorship on the Internet and punishes “extremist” thinking
Russian President Vladimir Putin promulgated a law that punishes the search for “extremist” on the Internet, an measure criticized by some Kremlin supporters.
Putin promulgated the law that tightens censorship and surveillance on the Internet: AFP
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, promulgated a law on Thursday that provides for fines of up to 5,000 rubles (about 55 euros) for people looking for information or materials qualified as “”EXTREMISM“By the authorities. The new provisions were adopted in July by the Russian Parliament, despite the opposition that came from within the Duma, informs Agerpres.
The term “extremist“It is vague defined in the Russian legislation, being used not only for terrorist or ultra -nationalist groups, but also for religious movements, political activists and the opposition to the regime. Among the organizations included on the list”EXTREMISM“There is the movement founded by the opposition leader, Aleksei Navalnîi, but also”The International Movement LGBT ”.
VPNs, the target of a new prohibition
The new law also prohibits the promotion of VPN networks, essential tools for many Russians who want to avoid state censorship and freely access the online information. VPNs are widely used in Russia, especially after the regime has tightened control over the media and social media platforms.
Critical reactions right inside the system
About 60 deputies opposed the draft law, a rare gesture in a Duma in which the opposition is often reduced to silence. Among the critical voices was the opponent Boris Nadejdin, who wanted to run for the presidential elections of March 2024, but was prevented by the authorities. He told AFP that the new law “will punish the crime of thought as in the novel «1984» of British writer George Orwell”.
Freedom of expression, increasingly restricted
Russia has greatly tightened control of the Internet and the media since February 2022, with the launch of the invasion in Ukraine. Platforms such as Google, Facebook, YouTube and X (former Twitter) have been targeted by numerous restrictions, in trying to limit the population access to independent information sources.
The new law comes to complete this repressive landscape, emphasizing the authoritarian tendency of the Kremlin to control not only the public expression, but also the private activity of the citizens in the digital space.
