Novosibirsk worsened positions in the rating of Internet freedom

In Russia, the number of facts of criminal prosecution for activity on the network has grown sharply. The Novosibirsk Region and most of the regions of Siberia were in the Red Zone rating of the Internet freedom.

The new project of the Human Rights Group “Agora” “Network Freedom” presented a report on the freedom of the Internet in Russia under the name “The Second Wave of Repression”. The total number of interventions to the freedom of the network was slightly reduced, but the number of facts of criminal prosecution (289 against 200 in 2019) and cyber attacks (43 versus 32) increased.

“Especially an alarming trend is an almost two -time increase in violence and threats (103 in 2020, while in 2019 - 57),” the authors of the study noted . - In 48 cases, representatives of the media were injured, and the attackers most often - security officials and representatives of security enterprises. Cases of the use of violence or threats in connection with the expression on the Internet are noted in at least 21 region. Absolute record holders for violence (62 out of 103 incidents) - Chechnya (40), Moscow (17) and Khabarovsk Territory (5). "

The number of regions that fell into the “Red Zone”, where more than 30 cases of intervention were noted from 43 to 58. Among them was the Novosibirsk region, which recorded two facts of criminal prosecution, three-administrative pressure and 78 cases of Internet censorship.

162536

“The Novosibirsk Region takes 19th place in the ranking of regions, whose authorities are trying to control the Internet,” said one of the authors of the report, lawyer Stanislav Seleznev. -In 2019, there was 91 incident, in 2020-126. The third year in a row, cases of violence were recorded in response to Internet active. The third year in a row, the number of facts of interference in the freedom of the Internet is markedly growing. A wide range of means of influence on the freedom of the network was recorded: resource blocking, criminal prosecution, the application of fake legislation and even an attack on journalists. ”

Transbaikalia, Irkutsk region, Khakassia, Altai Republic, Altai Territory, Kemerovo, Tomsk and Omsk regions also fell into the Red Zone.

“In the Tomsk region, four facts of criminal prosecution, six facts of administrative pressure and 78 cases of censorship were recorded,” the authors of the study noted. -In the Kemerovo region: 12 facts of criminal prosecution, 64 cases of administrative pressure, 33 facts of Internet censorship and four cases of violence. ”

Human rights activists predict a further increase in the number of locks and cases of bringing public administrators, media editorial offices and ordinary users accountable. “Further criminalization of unauthorized online activeness” is expected. At the same time, with regard to the global platforms, the final decision on blocking is probably not yet made and interaction with them will be accompanied by attempts to discredit, intimidate and gradually squeeze out of the country, the authors of the report said.