Russia’s new “sovereign internet” law gives the government sweeping power over the internet

This appeared in The Millennial Source

Russia’s amended law on communications, information, information technologies, and information protection came into effect on November 1, allowing greater control over its citizen’s access to online information. Also known as the “sovereign internet” law, it was approved in April this year, despite widespread criticism, protests, and online campaigning in the country.

According to Radio Free Europe, the legislation was created in response to the US cybersecurity strategy adopted in September 2018. The US said that this strategy aimed to “identify, counter, disrupt, degrade, and deter behavior in cyberspace that is destabilizing and contrary to our national interests while preserving America’s overmatch in and through cyberspace.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the law would ensure the Russian internet is able to function if the United States attempts to cut off Russian access to the global web, Radio Free Europe reported.

What the law covers

The new law gives the Russian government “virtually unlimited ability and authority to continuously monitor all internet activity to identify possible threats,”…