Bloggers in Russia and the temporarily occupied territories are forced to install a state bot
Kyiv • UNN
Russia has obliged Telegram channels with more than 10,000 subscribers to connect to a "Roskomnadzor" bot, which provides full access to content and audience. This also applies to channels in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Russia has introduced new rules for controlling bloggers: all Telegram channels with more than 10,000 subscribers, including those in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, must connect a "Roskomnadzor" bot, which gains full access to content and audience. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), according to UNN.
Details
The Russian authorities have introduced a new rule to strengthen control over the blogosphere.
All bloggers, including those in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with an audience of more than 10,000 readers on Telegram must add a special bot from "Roskomnadzor" to their channels.
It is noted that it receives administrator rights - it can edit, delete or publish posts. Thus, the state actually gains full access to the content, audience and internal information of the channels.
"Formally, "Roskomnadzor" explains that the launch of the bot is allegedly mandatory and necessary for "registration confirmation", but there is no mention of such a bot in the legislation. This is a self-willed initiative of officials who interpret laws at their own discretion to expand opportunities for interfering with the activities of bloggers," the CCD added.
Recall
In Russia, the "Orthodox messenger" "Zosima" started working, which caused a scandal due to the collection of personal data. Registration through "Gosuslugi" provides access to state databases, including passport data and income information.