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Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law on Friday that gives the Federal Security Service (FSB) additional powers to restrict or disrupt the operation of the internet within the country.
According to the text of the law, the FSB may disable or restrict access to the network in cases specified by regulatory acts of the President of the Russian Federation. Russian lawyer Sarkis Darbinyan stated that “only the president can impose restrictions,” emphasizing that the implementation of the measures will be based on decisions of the highest executive level.
Russian state media reports that authorities justify the law with the need to ensure national security and protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. According to these reports, the new mechanisms aim to strengthen coordination between state institutions in emergency situations.
On the other hand, international media such as Reuters and the BBC assess that this step further expands the Kremlin's control over digital space and online communication in Russia. They link this development to previous policies for the creation of a "sovereign internet", which gives the authorities the ability to isolate the Russian segment of the global network if they deem it necessary.
The law comes as Russian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on several messaging apps. WhatsApp and Telegram have reportedly been slowed down in Russia, with users turning to the state-backed Max app. Telegram will also be completely blocked from April 1.
So far, Russian authorities have not provided additional details on concrete law enforcement procedures, while international observers are closely monitoring the impact these measures may have on access to information and online communication in Russia.
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