New Russia internet law
deemed censorship by critics
AFP – 19 hours ago
A new law seeking to
protect minors from internet sites with harmful content comes into force in
Russia on Monday amid criticism that it is a veiled move to increase censorship
in the country.
Under the law, which was
approved by both houses of parliament in July, websites containing illegal
"dangerous content" will be blacklisted on a federal register and
forced to close.
Officially, the aim is to
protect young people from sites that feature child pornography, promote drugs
or offer tips for committing suicide but observers say the legislation is
another step towards greater control over the population by President Vladimir
Putin since his return to power in May.
In less than three months,
parliament has adopted a series of laws labelled oppressive by the opposition.
They include the strict
monitoring of political NGOs benefiting from foreign funding and heavy fines
for anyone who organises unauthorised demonstrations.
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