Surveillance Made Easy: The Russian Way
December 2, 2021
US tech companies want a foothold in the Russian market and Putin wants them to have an edge to step on. There is a caveat, they must have an presence in Russia by the end of 2021 or else…er…face restrictions or bans. Rappler explains why Russia wants thirteen foreign technology companies to establish offices in: “Moscow Tells 13 Mostly US Tech Firms They Must Set Up In Russia By 2022.”
Communications regulator Roskomndazor released the demand on Monday, November 22 that explained what the companies needed to do and targeted ones that already have Russian offices:
“Foreign social media giants with more than 500,000 daily users have been obliged to open offices in Russia since a new law took effect on July 1. The list published on Monday names the companies for the first time. It lists Alphabet’s Google, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and messaging app Telegram, all of which Russia has fined this year for failing to delete content it deems illegal. Apple, which Russia has targeted for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the mobile applications market, was also on the list.”
If the companies do not follow the new demand, they will face restrictions of data collection, money transfers, and advertising or bans.
Russia wants to promote its own tech industry. The government is doing so by proposing more taxes on foreign companies, tax cuts for domestic tech, and any device to offer Russian software when brand new.
The demand is also viewed as a way for Russian to exert more control over the Internet and technology. It could hinder individual and corporate freedoms.
Rules are not clear about what and how tech companies should represent themselves in Russia. The Roskomndazor did say foreign entities are required to limit information that violates Russian legislation.
Russia might be masking domestic technology development and economic recovery behind surveillance.
Whitney Grace, December 2, 2021
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