Moscow Using 'Technical Breakdown' rather than Formal Blocking of Internet to Isolate Non-Russian Republics and Restive Russian Regions, Experts Say

 Paul Goble

    Staunton, Mar. 5 -- Increasingly, instead of formally blocking the Internet in non-Russian republics and more restive Russian regions, Moscow is orchestrating 'technical breakdowns," an arrangement even better from Moscow's point of view because it allows the center to escape criticism and prevents people from using VPNs.

     It is able to do so because in these federal subjects, there are relatively few internet providers, they are branches of all-Russian companies, and thus, the Internet there is "more vulnerable to centralized control" via this mechanism, Kseniya Yermoshina, a sociologist says (verstka.media/pobochnyi-effekt-czenzury-sboi-runeta-proishodyat-vse-chashhe-pochemu-oni-opasnee-blokirovk).

    In essence, she an d other Russian experts on this field say, using "technical breakdowns" rather than blocking is "the continuation of the colonization" of the country in the virtual world.

    Leonid Yudashev, another expert, agrees and adds that "it is not so convenient to conduct such experiments in Moscow and St. Petersburg.  There are more providers in those cities, their equipment is newer, and local IT specialists can easily determine what has happened, tell others, and work around orchestrated "breakdowns."

    Moreover, taking such actions in the capitals or other major cities risks adverse reaction from Russian businesses or even officials whose activities may be affected. That is far less of a problem in areas far beyond the ring road, Denis Yagodin, a third Russian expert says.