Russia slowly trying to splinter its internet from rest of world, analysts say
Telegram is increasingly blocked and mobile internet users face blackouts in effort likened to Iranian shutdowns
TL;DR
- Russia is engaging in a large-scale, gradual effort to splinter its internet from the global network.
- This involves escalating mobile internet blackouts and restrictions on specific traffic, including the blocking of Telegram.
- The censorship is described as more opaque and less visible than Iran's shutdowns due to Russia's decentralized internet infrastructure.
- New government-controlled domestic messaging services, like Max, are being developed to replace blocked apps.
- Mobile internet has been shut down in parts of the country for at least a year, with only pre-approved sites accessible.
- Recent shutdowns in Moscow caused widespread disruption, affecting access to banking and phone services.
- Retailers have reported increased sales of pagers and paper maps as people cope with the blockages.
- Authorities have justified previous mobile internet outages with excuses like protection against Ukrainian drones.
- Current shutdowns appear to be more sweeping, with censors testing the economy's resilience under strict restrictions.
- Analysts predict Moscow shutdowns will become routine and that home networks could eventually be affected.