Russia and Twitter: Censorship and Control

Russia Restricts Twitter Access Amidst Content Dispute

In a recent escalation of control over online content, Russia is implementing measures to throttle access to Twitter. Roskomnadzor, the state communications regulator, announced today that this action is a direct response to the social media platform’s failure to remove content deemed unlawful. The agency asserts it has identified over 3,000 prohibited posts that remain accessible, and warns of a potential complete service blockade.

Temporary Disruption of Roskomnadzor’s Website

Interestingly, the regulator’s attempt to slow down Twitter’s mobile traffic and restrict 50% of desktop access within Russia seemingly caused a temporary outage of Roskomnadzor’s own website earlier in the day.

Reports also surfaced on social media indicating that various Russian government websites, including kremlin.ru, experienced accessibility issues. While these sites were functioning at the time of this report, earlier access attempts to Roskomnadzor’s site were unsuccessful.

Context of Political Suppression

This dispute between the state agency and Twitter unfolds as Russia intensifies efforts to suppress supporters of Alexei Navalny, the incarcerated opposition leader. Navalny has recently urged protestors to mobilize and increase pressure on the current administration.

Justification and Concerns Regarding Censorship

Roskomnadzor’s official statement refrains from mentioning any intent to censor political dissent. Instead, it claims the throttling is aimed at protecting Russian citizens by removing content related to teenage suicide, child pornography, and drug-related material. However, the application of restrictive laws to stifle political opposition is a recurring pattern within Russia.

The Russian government has previously attempted to compel foreign social media platforms to remove content it disapproves of, and has resorted to technical limitations on access when these requests are not met.

Past Instances of Internet Disruption

A notable example occurred in 2018, when Russia’s attempt to block the messaging app Telegram resulted in widespread collateral damage to the country’s internet infrastructure. The block inadvertently disrupted access to numerous unrelated IP addresses and services.

Also in 2018, Instagram, owned by Facebook, complied with a Russian demand to remove content posted by Navalny, a decision that drew criticism from the politician himself.

Navalny’s Continued Activism

Despite his imprisonment in February – following a conviction based on alleged violations of a suspended sentence – Navalny continues to utilize his Twitter account to denounce corruption and highlight the perceived injustices of his detention. This activity follows a prior assassination attempt against him, which has been attributed to Russia’s FSB.

Recent posts from Navalny’s account have amplified an investigation by the German newspaper Bild concerning RT DE, the German-language channel of the Russian state-controlled media outlet Russia Today. The newspaper alleges that RT DE engaged in espionage activities targeting Navalny and his associates while he was receiving medical treatment in Berlin.

Impact on Information Flow

Restricting access to Twitter represents a strategy for Russia to curtail Navalny’s critical commentary on the platform. This includes a recent retweet of a video alleging that Russian taxpayers’ funds were used by Putin and his associates for luxury expenses, such as yachts, alcoholic beverages, and a vacation in the Maldives.

Navalny’s account has also recently condemned his imprisonment as a consequence of the state’s attempted poisoning, stating: “This situation is called attempted murder”.

Twitter’s Response

As of this writing, Twitter has not yet issued a public response to Roskomnadzor’s actions.

Global Precedents and Concerns

Last month, Twitter yielded to pressure from the Indian government, suspending 500 accounts – including those associated with farmer protests against agricultural deregulation. The platform also agreed to limit the visibility of related protest hashtags.

Update: Twitter has provided us with the following statement:

Early Stage is a leading event designed for startup entrepreneurs and investors. Attendees gain valuable insights from successful founders and venture capitalists regarding business development, fundraising, and portfolio management. The event covers all facets of company building, including sales, product-market fit, PR, marketing, and branding. Each session incorporates audience participation, allowing for questions and discussion. A 20% discount on tickets is available using the code “TCARTICLE” at checkout.