Russias internet users face restrictions on accessing online information and services

Authorities in Russia have implemented blackouts citing “security concerns” amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks. The outages, which began in central Moscow but have now spread across the country, have affected mobile data services, leaving Wi-Fi functional in most areas.

In response to the disruptions, authorities are promoting an “alternative cyberspace.” A recent episode of a popular game show on Russian television featured children singing about the benefits of meeting friends in person rather than online. The song’s message was seen as optimistic and aimed at both younger and older viewers.

The outages have had significant impacts on daily life, with many people unable to access mobile internet or check their phones for directions. “We practically have no mobile internet now,” said Diana, a St Petersburg teacher in her mid-30s. “That means you can’t use maps, apps, or anything.”

Estimates suggest that Moscow’s economy lost 3-5 billion rubles ($36m-$65m) in just five days of shutdown in the city. Authorities claim the outages are necessary for security due to recent Ukrainian drone attacks.

However, experts argue that disrupting civilian internet access is not an effective solution and may be used to test the government’s “whitelist” of approved websites. The Russian government has been gradually imposing online censorship since the 2010s, tasking a cyber-censorship agency with blacklisting websites allegedly promoting certain issues.

The outages have sparked criticism from some officials, including the governor of the Belgorod region, who called for the agency to be held accountable for the disruptions. The Russian government has been implementing various measures to control digital infrastructure and data flows since 2019, including the passage of a “sovereign internet” law.

The situation remains under observation as authorities continue to address the security concerns cited by the outages.

Source: Al Jazeera