Putin to unplug Russia from the internet

Russian leader to introduce draconian measures that would see country switch off ‘in emergencies’.

Vladimir Putin is poised to introduce draconian measures to unplug Russia from the Internet in emergencies caused by the ‘unpredictable’ West, it was claimed yesterday.

The web is seen as the last bastion of glasnost – or openness – in Moscow, but now there are fears new curbs will be imposed as they have been on TV and newspapers.

The Russian president is summoning a Monday session of his powerful Security Council over the issue.

‘Taking into account the complete unpredictability of the United States and European Union, Russia is taking measures to ensure its own security,’ Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP.

It was vital to act due to ‘the unpredictability of our foreign partners’, he insisted.

He claimed Russia should be ‘ready for anything’ after the worst rift with the West since the Cold War.

Vedomosti newspaper said Russia was aiming to strengthen the ‘sovereignty of the Russian segment of the World Wide Web’.

[…]

Complete text linked here.


Comments are closed.