Russia's Internet Outage Highlights Growing Government Control
The recent massive Internet outage in Russia highlights the increasing control the government has over the country's Internet.
Russia's Internet Outage
On the evening of January 30, Russia experienced one of the most widespread and far-reaching Internet outages in its history. The outage lasted for approximately two hours and affected numerous popular websites, including Yandex, the country's largest search engine.
This outage is not the first of its kind in Russia. In 2018, the government attempted to block access to the messaging platform Telegram but ended up blocking millions of other web addresses as well. In 2021, an 'equipment failure' at the state telecom provider caused widespread outages, including on the Kremlin website.
The recent outage is seen as a reflection of Russia's push to gain more control over its Internet infrastructure. Over the years, the government has implemented various measures to monitor and control the Russian Internet, known as the RuNet.
Building Control over the RuNet
Russian regulators have taken steps to rein in major web companies operating in the country. This includes Yandex, which has faced government interference over its news guidance. Other web companies, like VK, have been consolidated under Kremlin-allied control.
In terms of infrastructure, Russian authorities have developed networks, devices, and Internet traffic monitors to monitor the RuNet. They have also required major Internet companies to store their servers within Russian territory. Additionally, the government has enacted laws to blacklist and block websites, as well as restrict the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that help users bypass blockages and protect their identity and location.
The government has also sought to establish its own national domain name system (DNS) that can be monitored and controlled more easily. This would reduce reliance on the global DNS overseen by the U.S.-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Implications and Concerns
The recent Internet outage in Russia raises concerns about increasing government control and censorship of the RuNet. Critics argue that these outage events can be used by authorities for political purposes, such as suppressing dissenting voices during elections.
Furthermore, the move towards a sovereign DNS and increased control over the Internet infrastructure has implications for privacy, security, and freedom of information in Russia. It remains to be seen how far the government will go in exerting control over the RuNet and what the long-term consequences will be for Internet users in the country.
The recent outage serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle for control and identity in the age of government surveillance and increasing reliance on centralized networks and infrastructure.
