Kremlin tightens internet control amid public petitions against censorship

Russian authorities have intensified restrictions on internet access, including blocking global messaging apps and causing widespread mobile internet disruptions.

Citizens have responded by submitting petitions directly to President Vladimir Putin, urging an end to the crackdown despite the risks involved.

Several dozen people gathered near the Kremlin outside the presidential administration office to hand in petitions calling for the restoration of internet freedoms.

While petitioning the president remains legal, participants face surveillance from security officers monitoring the area.

The internet restrictions have caused significant disruption, particularly for businesses reliant on online services.

Yulia, a catering company owner, reported that website inaccessibility and blocked messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp have led to revenue losses, threatening her business's viability.

The Kremlin justifies the measures as necessary for public safety and to disrupt Ukrainian drone attacks, although such attacks have persisted even in areas with internet blackouts.

President Putin has acknowledged the disruptions, describing them as part of "operational work to prevent terrorist attacks," while instructing officials to maintain essential internet services.

Access to popular global messaging platforms has been heavily restricted, with state regulators also targeting virtual private networks (VPNs) used to bypass censorship.

The government is promoting a state-backed messenger called MAX, which some view as a tool for increased surveillance.

Former MP Boris Nadezhdin expressed concerns that the new messenger is designed to monitor users' communications.

In many regions, only government-approved websites and services remain accessible on mobile devices, creating what some describe as a digital "Iron Curtain." This tightening of internet control occurs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and reflects the government's broader push for a "sovereign internet" that limits foreign influence and enhances state oversight.

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