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Russia: Authorities ramp up internet censorship and pressure on tech companies ahead of elections
CalMatters
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Russia: Apple and Google draw criticism for removing election app created by opposition leader Aleksei Navalny
Navalny and human rights organisations have criticised U.S. tech giants for giving in to the Kremlin's demands. Russia reportedly raised the possibility of criminal charges against the tech giants' local employees.
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Russia: YouTube blocks election candidate's criticism of the govt., complaints about freedom of speech
The comments came from a pre-election debate aired on Russian state television. The state television service asked YouTube to block the use of the video, citing copyright infringement; other clips remain accessible.
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Russia: Govt. seeks to 'rein in' big tech ahead of election, censor opposition
In recent months, Russia has demanded that tech giants remove content the government has deemed offensive, dangerous, or lewd. An election app run by the team of jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has also been targeted.
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Russia blocks access to VPN providers; critics raise alarms over tightening control of the internet
Russia's media watchdog has blocked six providers of virtual proxy networks (VPNs), which people can use to circumvent government restrictions on the Internet. The move comes ahead of parliamentary elections this month.
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Russian authorities pressure Apple over 'dominant market position' while trying to strengthen control over apps and the internet
In recent months, Russian regulators have fined Apple for giving preference to its own applications. At the same time, Moscow enforced controversial legislation demanding that smartphones, tablets, and computers sold in the country come with preinstalled domestic software and apps.