Facebook and Gmail Face Blacklist Under Russian Web Laws

Russia has demanded that Western internet companies like Gmail, Facebook and Twitter register with Russia’s communication watchdog group and create servers that Russian officials can access. Officials have warned that companies that do not comply will face sanctions and, as some westerners expect, possible expulsion. The big companies fall into the net of Russia’s “blogger laws,” imposed in August and aimed at curtailing online dissent. Many Russian social media sites have already registered under the new law, and lawyers warn that failure to do could lead to blacklisting. Authorities strive to rein in internet exchanges, similar to their control of traditional media. The parliament also introduced legislation to limit foreign ownership of media sites to 20 percent, reports Roland Oliphant for the Telegraph. The legislators claim the West is waging an “information” war on Russia. Censorship though, is like waving a white flag suggesting that Russia cannot win that war. – YaleGlobal