Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Is Facebook Cooperating With The Kremlin To Shut Down Dissent?

Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny (left) and his brother, Oleg, on a Facebook page calling for a January 15 demonstration near the Kremlin in support of the embattled activist.

Facebook Helps Putin Shut Down Dissidents -- Washington Free Beacon

Social media company kowtows to Russian dictator, kisses up to Chinese president

Facebook is facing heightened scrutiny of its conduct in countries with authoritarian regimes amid reports that an events page for Russia’s most prominent dissident was blocked by the company at the insistence of the Russian government.

A page organizing a protest in support of dissident Alexei Navalny was reportedly blocked on Saturday after Russian Internet regulators issued a “demand” to Facebook to restrict access. Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year prison sentence for Navalny the day before on charges that observers say are politically motivated. Navalny has emerged as a leading figure in the opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

Other pages expressing solidarity with Navalny are still visible, according to the Washington Post. Facebook’s government reports show that the site restricted access to 29 pieces of content in Russia in the first half of this year. Twitter has also blocked some accounts within the country.

A Facebook spokesman declined to comment.

Read more ....

More News On Facebook Cooperating With The Russian Government To "Shut Down Dissent"

Facebook Page Goes Dark, Angering Russia Dissidents -- NYT
Facebook blocks Russian page supporting Navalny, Putin's biggest critic -- Washington Post
Russia Blocks Facebook Page Calling For Navalny Protest -- Radio Free Europe
Facebook accused of bowing to Putin: Site shuts down page supporting president's rival 'because of pressure from the Kremlin' -- Daily Mail
Facebook Angers Russian Dissidents by Blocking Protest Page -- Time
Facebook restricts access to page supporting Russian opposition activist Navalny -- RT
Russian Facebook blocks event page for opposition rally -- The Guardian
It Looks Like Facebook Just Caved to the Kremlin -- Vocativ
Facebook should stop cooperating with Russian government censorship -- Ilya Somin, Washington Post

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