Jul 5 - Russia debates internet blacklist

Russia debates internet blacklist - FT.com



A blacklist of internet sites being debated by Russia’s parliament could create “real censorship” of the internet, according to a human rights watchdog set up by the Kremlin.

“We believe it is very important to stop the implementation of censorship on the Russian-language section of the internet,” Russia’s Presidential Council for Human Rights said in a statement on Tuesday.

A series of amendments to existing laws, which taken together create a single register for websites containing illegal content, was submitted to the Duma last month. Opponents claim that the legislation is a veiled attempt to silence opposition voices and a creeping attempt to implement a China-style censorship “great firewall”.