Russian lawmakers have approved a bill that punishes online searches for information deemed “extremist,” in the latest move by government authorities to crack down on dissent. The legislation, which has broad public criticism, imposes fines of up to $64 on individuals who deliberately search for and access extremist materials online.
The bill’s definition of extremist activity is broad and includes opposition groups like Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation and the international LGBT movement. Authorities claim ordinary internet users won’t be affected, but it’s unclear how they will track down violators. Officials said only methodical seekers of outlawed content will be targeted.
The new legislation also restricts virtual private network (VPN) services, banning advertising and imposing fines on those that fail to comply with government regulations. While VPN use is not banned outright, its use is listed as an aggravating circumstance in case of other violations. Russians widely use VPNs for access to banned content, but authorities have sought to tighten restrictions.
The bill’s passage has sparked public criticism, even from some pro-Kremlin figures who argue it would make it difficult for them to track down and deflect comments by Kremlin critics. Margarita Simonyan, head of RT channel, has spoken out against the legislation, questioning how her group could investigate anti-Kremlin outlets if they were forbidden to read them.
The move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent since Russian troops entered Ukraine in February 2022. Online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts have soared, with multiple independent news outlets and rights groups shut down. Hundreds of activists and critics of the Kremlin have faced criminal charges.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-internet-censorship-extremist-40fb52d2b45081815579bbb64e5dc5cd