Vladimir Putin is poised to introduce draconian measures to unplug Russia from the Internet in emergencies caused by the ‘unpredictable ’ West , it was claimed yesterday .The web is seen as the last bastion of glasnost – or openness – in Moscow, but now there are fears new curbs will be imposed as they have been on TV and newspapers .
The Russian president is summoning a Monday session of his powerful Security Council over the issue.
‘ Taking into account the complete unpredictability of the United States and European Union , Russia is taking measures to ensure its own security , ’ Putin ’ s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP .
It was vital to act due to ‘ the
unpredictability of our foreign partners ’ ,he insisted.
He claimed Russia should be ‘ready for anything ’ after the worst rift with the West since the Cold War .
Vedomosti newspaper said Russia was aiming to strengthen the ‘ sovereignty of the Russian segment of the World Wide Web’ .
This could include powers to unplug Russia from the World Wide Web in‘ emergency’ situations.
These might be protest rallies or military hostilities , the newspaper said citing sources .
The web has been a focus of Kremlin criticism over the Ukraine conflict, and the aim would be to prevent it operating internationally in any crisis .
The country ’ s citizens would only be able to use a Russian - wide web .
This week a major social networking site VKontakte fell completely under the control of a company in the empire of Kremlin - friendly Alisher Usmanov , also a major shareholder of Arsenal Football Club .
‘ We have a highly reliable backup plan, which maybe discussed at the Security Council meeting , ’ said a source .
The move follows calls from politicians to isolate the Russian web from the US and EU internet which are seen as subversive .
By:Nyameba PaaQojo
0 comments:
Post a Comment