Russia has taken a big step in its ambition to isolate itself from the global Internet and establish a closed network that can only be accessed within the country. President Vladimir Putin signed the controversial "Internet sovereignty" bill, which reinforces government control over the Russian Internet.
The law gives government agencies the green light to develop a sustainable, secure and fully functional Russian Internet network, part of the Kremlin's plan to isolate Internet use as a defense against external cyberwar.
The law means that systems that exchange data between networks that make up the Russian Internet should share more information with government regulators and allow regulators to exercise direct control over what the Russians can post, see and speak about online when national security is at risk.
Large-scale protests have been staged in an attempt to stop passing the law, Russian companies have until November 1 to comply with the law, which the Kremlin says will make Russia safer in the face of cyber attacks.
The legislation is part of a long-term plan within Russia to rely less on networks outside the country. Russia wants traffic to be sent among its citizens within its electronic borders, rather than on international networks, with less control.
To help drive this long-term plan, Russia is developing its own DNS to eliminate dependence on the global Internet and to work almost independently, although this work will not be effective until 2021.
The Russian president stressed on April 8 that the Internet would always be free in Russia, but warned at the same time that it is important to address the risks and challenges of cybercrime and the proliferation of illegal content that threatens the rights of people and the interests of the state.
The Russian government wants all domestic traffic to pass through its closely guarded guidance points. Putin's government said the law was necessary because of persistent threats from many countries to respond to Russian interference in elections and politics.
An analysis released in early 2019 indicated that the law was part of an attempt to establish a collective control system similar to that in China, which in turn is trying to get rid of public debates on controversial topics.
Russia has recently passed laws banning non-respect for the government, so violators who openly repeat criticism of the state, its officials and Russian society may get jail terms of up to 15 days.
The Russian Ministry of Communications hinted at the transition to an isolated Internet in 2017 when it said it wanted to channel 95 percent of the country's Internet traffic by 2020, making it difficult for foreign governments to spy on Russian use of the Internet or interference. in that.
According to a report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the project will initially cost $ 38 million, but some plan participants expect the project to cost more than $ 300 million.
Russia's move towards the closed Internet comes at a time when major world powers are moving to defend themselves against external cyber attacks. The United States has sent numerous indictments to Russian companies and individuals in 2017 in response to Russian attempts to threaten the electricity grid and financial system. United State.
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