Putin Advances Plan to Tighten State Control Over Russia's Internet Infrastructure

Russian President Vladimir Putin is intensifying efforts to tighten control over the nation's internet infrastructure. According to reports from The New York Times, this includes restricting access to Western applications and enhancing the development of a government-approved messaging platform scheduled for launch next month. The new service, named MAX, is set to be pre-installed on all smartphones sold within Russia, fueling speculation that Moscow aims to restrict or possibly ban popular apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. The primary objective appears to be guiding users into a state-regulated online environment that is easier to monitor and censor. Anastasiia Kruope of Human Rights Watch emphasized that while Russia's technical capabilities for internet isolation are still evolving, they are steadily improving, signaling increased government oversight. Historically, Russians have enjoyed relatively unrestricted internet access, including use of Western social media platforms and free expression online. However, concerns about opposition figures like Alexei Navalny, who utilized blogs and YouTube to rally support before his death in prison in 2024, have prompted the Kremlin to t...