Security News > 2021 > March > Russia Threatens to Block Twitter in a Month

Russian authorities said Tuesday they would block Twitter in a month if it doesn't take steps to remove banned content, a move that escalates the Russian government's drawn-out standoff with social media platforms that have played a major role in amplifying dissent in Russia.

Russia's state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, last week announced it was slowing down the speed of uploading photos and videos to Twitter over its alleged failure to remove content encouraging suicide among children and information about drugs and child pornography.

On Tuesday, deputy chief of Roskomnadzor Vadim Subbotin argued that Twitter still wasn't complying with the demands of the Russian authorities.

The government's efforts to tighten control of the internet and social media date back to 2012, when a law allowing authorities to blacklist and block certain online content was adopted.

In 2014, authorities adopted a law requiring online services to store the personal data of Russian users on servers in Russia and have since tried to make Facebook and Twitter comply with it.

Subbotin said Tuesday that Roskomnadzor has the necessary "Technical capabilities" to block Twitter, and that the agency doesn't rule out slowing down or blocking other online platforms if they "Violate Russian laws and don't comply with Roskomnadzor's demands."

News URL

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Securityweek/~3/qmMJs5JqeE4/russia-threatens-block-twitter-month