UK says Russia tightens communications restrictions to boost censorship

He points to a reduction in traffic on WhatsApp and claims that Moscow “could block YouTube in September 2024”

Jul 18 () –

British intelligence services said on Thursday that Russia has implemented “further restrictions” on the use of telecommunications, including an alleged reduction in traffic via WhatsApp in recent days.

Russian MP Anton Nemkin said last week that the reduction in traffic on the app was intended to limit the ability of “extremist groups” to communicate, although London has said that it also means that “opposition activists” and “those opposed to the war in Ukraine” can “organise and communicate”.

British intelligence services have also said that independent Russian media have also reported on the problems with YouTube, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had no information on such situations.

“The presidency could block YouTube in September 2024,” the UK said, stressing that the platform “is relatively popular in Russia and has been used by opposition activists, notably the late Alexei Navalny, to spread their criticism of the Russian government.”

In this regard, they have argued that these measures represent, together with the illegalization of several media and restrictions on secure communication channels, “an acceleration of the trend of increasing government control over access to the media and information in Russia.”

“These restrictions on access to social media platforms are likely designed to ensure that the Russian population can only access media that adhere to government-controlled narratives,” they said, according to a statement published by the British Ministry of Defence through its account on the social network X.

Finally, they argued that “by limiting the safest means of private communication, government surveillance of potential opponents will be easier and will create a climate of fear and self-censorship among those who might be critical of the regime.”