MOSCOW : In a significant escalation of its efforts to control online information, Russia’s parliament has given its final approval to sweeping new legislation that will impose fines on individuals found Browse or accessing content deemed “extremist” by the state. The law, which has cleared both the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house), awaits President Vladimir Putin’s signature to take effect.
The legislation, approved by the upper house on July 25, goes further than simply penalizing access to proscribed content; it also introduces penalties for the promotion of VPN services. VPNs have become a crucial tool for many Russian citizens seeking to circumvent government censorship and access blocked websites and information. This dual approach aims to significantly restrict the avenues available for Russians to access information outside of state control.
The approval of the law by the State Duma on July 22 was met with rare public dissent. A small group of protesters gathered outside the Russian parliament, an uncommon sight in the current political climate. One demonstrator held a sign that read, “For a Russia without censorship. Orwell wrote a dystopia, not a manual,” a clear reference to George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The man was swiftly detained by police, highlighting the potential dangers of public opposition to the new measures.
Critics argue that the law is a direct assault on freedom of speech and is designed to further stifle dissent and independent thought. The broad definition of “extremist” content, often applied to anything critical of the government or its policies, raises concerns about its potential for widespread abuse and the further narrowing of public discourse within Russia. The move is seen by many as another step towards increased digital authoritarianism in the country.
