Russian media watchdog Roskomnadzor has written to three US tech giants warning them aganist violating the internet censorship laws in the country. Failure by the three companies to comply could result in blocking of their services.
According to Roskomnadzor, the encryption technology employed by the three firms, Russia was finding it difficult to block specific websites or bring down content deemed to be contravening its strict blogger and internet laws. The three companies were also failing to comply in the handing over of data on Russian bloggers with more than 3,000 readers per day.
Russia has strict blogging laws that dictate that everyone who blogs or has a blog in that country to declare to the state their family name, initials and e-mail address. Those who average of over 3000 visitors per day register in a special list and have to abide by the same rules and regulations that mainstream mass media adheres to. The laws also dictate information must be verified before posting confirm authenticity of information they’ll be passing on to their readers. Posting of violent or pornographic content or anything that the Kremlin deems to be out of bounds as is disclosure of private information.
The Russian government is also allowed to block websites that go against the government without caution websites with information about protests that have not been sanctioned by authorities. Russia is currently creating government built servers for internet companies where any company seeking to set up operations in Russia will have to use these servers for Russia.
