Information
The upper house of Russia’s parliament has approved a new bill that penalises individuals for deliberately searching for or accessing online materials deemed “extremist” by the government. The legislation, which follows similar efforts to expand internet censorship, imposes fines of up to $64 for violations. It now awaits President Vladimir Putin’s signature to become law. Russia’s definition of extremism is notably broad and includes groups like the Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and the “international LGBT movement.” While authorities claim only those actively seeking banned content will be targeted, they have not clarified how they will distinguish such users from others, raising concerns over potential misuse.
The move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent that intensified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the Kremlin has accelerated efforts to control the internet, shut down independent media, and prosecute citizens over online activity. Despite widespread use of VPNs to access restricted information, authorities are working to close those loopholes as well. Civil society organisations, human rights groups, and activists have increasingly come under fire, with many labelled as “foreign agents” or “undesirable,” and numerous individuals facing criminal charges for challenging the official narrative.
Source: AP, Reuters
So What
This new legislation signals an escalation in Russia’s efforts to suppress dissent and tighten internal security, particularly by targeting digital spaces where opposition and independent thought persist. By broadening the definition of “extremism” and criminalising even passive online behaviour, the Kremlin aims to deter political activism and reinforce state control amid ongoing war-related instability. Geopolitically, this move likely serves to insulate the regime from foreign influence and internal unrest, especially as it faces international isolation and rising domestic discontent.
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