Russia’s Sovereign Internet Law Comes Into Force

Stanislav Krasilnikov / TASS

Moscow Times: Russia’s Sovereign Internet Law Comes Into Force

Experts say the country lacks the technology to implement the controversial legislation.

When the chairman of Russia’s Committee on Informational Policy, Leonid Levin, stepped on stage in Moscow’s Lomonosov building on Oct. 28 to give a speech during the second All-Russian Digital Forum he couldn’t have chosen a better place. The venue is not just the home of Russia’s fastest supercomputer, it’s also overshadowed by the iconic Moscow State University building, built under Stalin.

He told a specialized audience that Russia’s State Duma is in the process of passing over 50 laws to regulate new technologies in the IT sector, which last year generated almost 5% of GDP and is growing at a rate of 10 to 15%.

The most controversial of them — the so-called sovereign internet law that will allow Russia to cut itself off from the rest of the World Wide Web — came into effect Friday. Thousands of Russians took to the streets in March after the bill passed its first reading in February 2019, and President Vladimir Putin signed it into law in May.

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WNU Editor: Everyone I know in Russia is against this law. And we all know that the primary reason for this law is to do this .... Controversial new Russian internet law could increase censorship, critics say (Euronews). More here .... Russia's internet law a 'new level' of censorship: RSF (DW).

More News On Russia’s Sovereign Internet Law Coming Into Force

New Russian Law Gives Government Sweeping Power Over Internet -- NPR
Russia enacts 'sovereign internet' law, free speech activists cry foul -- Reuters
Russia officially introduced a 'sovereign internet' law to let Putin cut off the entire country from the rest of the web -- Business Insider
Russia is prepared to stay online amid global blackout as crucial internet law comes into effect -- RT
Russia rolls out its 'sovereign internet.' Is it building a digital Iron Curtain? -- CNN
An Overview of the New Russian Laws Coming into Effect in November -- Moscow Times