A Chronicle of the Russian Internet Filtration

Schoolchildren Were Shielded by Court from "Negative Information" in the Smolensk Region

On December 24, 2013, it became known that the Ershichsky District Prosecutor’s Office in the Smolensk Region filed lawsuits against 22 leaders of educational institutions of the district. Prosecutors demanded to restrict students' access to " negative information ,” along with a book included in the federal list of extremist materials and instructions for the manufacture of drugs. Court granted all claims and students' access to dangerous information was closed.

The Federation Council Approved a Law on Pre-trial Blocking of Websites

On December 25, 2013, a law "On Amending the Federal Law 'On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information," passed by the State Duma on December 20, was approved by the Federation Council. The law provides for blocking of websites that contain incitement to extremist actions and riots.

If signed by the president, the law comes into effect on February 1, 2013.

Prosecutors Demand Restrictions on Access to Websites That Call for Tampering with Individual Metering Devices in Omsk

On December 27, 2013, it became known that the Oktyabrsky District Prosecutor’s Office in Omsk filed a lawsuit in order to force the internet provider T-Servis to restrict access to multiple sites.

Those sites offered for sale magnets that influenced the counting mechanisms of the electricity, water and gas metering devices.

Internet Provider Received a Warning for Extremist Materials in Cheboksary

On December 27, 2013, the Chuvash Republican Prosecutor's Office reported on the motion to eliminate violations of the law on countering extremist activity, issued by the Kalinin District Prosecutor’s Office of Cheboksary and addressed to the supervisor of the Internet provider Internet Tsentr.

Earlier, prosecutors had found in open access publications which are included on the Federal List of Extremist Materials.

Access to the identified sites was blocked. 

Roscomnadzor Blacklisted One of the Most Popular Torrent Trackers.

On December 27, 2013, Roscomnadzor added a torrent tracker Rutracker.org to the list of banned sites; the date of the court decision on the basis of which it was done was not specified. As of December 29, 2013, torrent tracker was still accessible to many users.

Rutracker.org representatives said they did not receive Roskomnadzor's orders and do not know the reason for being blacklisted.

Rostelecom Was Ordered to Block an Extremist Website in Saratov,

On December 28, 2013, it became known that the Kirov District Court in Saratov granted the claim of the Saratov City Prosecutor's Office against the local branch of Rostelecom.

The court ordered the provider to restrict access to a website containing material which was deemed extremist, "O, Sisters ! It Is Your Turn – The Men Are Sleeping! What Should a True Muslim Be Like?"

At the hearing, the provider's representative refused to accept the claim, insisting that the provider was not a proper defendant in the case, and that the resource was not included on a Unified Register of Banned Websites.

The provider's argument failed to convince the court.

Subscribers of other Saratov Internet providers are still able to access this site.

A Prosecutor's Office Seeks to Block a Website on the Manufacture of Explosives in Chechnya,

On December 10, 2013, it became known that the Gudermes District Prosecutor's Office in Chechnya filed a lawsuit against the Internet provider Gumsnet. The Prosecutor's Office demands restrictions on access to a website that holds information about the manufacture of explosives at home.

The State Duma Approved a Bill Providing for Extrajudicial Blocking of Websites

On December 17, 2013, the Russian State Duma adopted in its first reading (with the second and the third readings adopted on December 20)^, a bill "On Amending the Federal Law ' On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information," submitted by the deputy Andrei Lugovoi.

The law provides for pre-trial blocking of information which "incites readers to riot, commit "extremist" or terrorist activities, kindle conflict between nations or religions, or participate in "mass public events held in violation of the established order."

Starting February 1, 2014 once notified about the availability of such information General Prosecutor's Office will be able to contact the Roscomnadzor, which must immediately order the provider to notify the owner of the website. If the owner fails to remove the unwanted content within 24 hours, the site will be blocked.

 

Court Blocks 17 Websites in Novosibirsk

On December 17, 2013, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Novosibirsk upheld the claim of the Novosibirsk Regional Prosecutor's Office against the Internet provider RTKomm Siberia.

The court ordered the provider to restrict access to 17 websites containing publications which are included on the Federal List of Extremist Materials.

 

Court Blocks Two Extremist Websites in Tyumen

On December 18, 2013, the Tyumen Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that the Leninsky District Court of Tyumen had fully granted the claims, filed by the Tyumen prosecutors against the local branch of Rostelecom.

Court ordered the provider to restrict access to two websites that published materials by organizations banned in Russia.

 

Ulyanovsk Prosecutors Demand Restrictions on Access to Web sites about Drugs

On December 18, 2013, it became known that the Zavolzhsky District Prosecutor’s Office in Ulyanovsk filed a claim demanding that the director of the Ulyanovsk Regional branch of Rostelecom restrict access to websites, which contained smoking blends ads and information about places selling drugs.

A prior prosecutorial audit had discovered such information on multiple sites, including “kaktostrann,” “psychotrop,” “vrednodur,” “spice74,” and “poroshoktut.”

 

Ukrainian Website Was Blocked as Extremist

On December 18, 2013, a resident of Ukraine, temporarily located in Moscow stated on Facebook that she can not access the Ukrainskaya Pravda website. When attempting to load the site, a message appears stating that the resource is blocked based on the laws "On Countering Extremist Activity" and "The protection of children from information harmful to their health."

 

Students Were Shielded from “Negative Information” in the Vladimir Region

On December 19, 2013, the Vladimir Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that the Kolchugino District Prosecutor's Office had submitted a motion to eliminate violations, addressed to the director of Kolchugino Social Rehabilitation Center for Minors.

The content filtering system installed in the computer center did not provide an adequate level of protection. As a result, students could visit websites that contained “negative information.”

 

A Prosecutor's Office Shielded Khimki Students from Harmful Information

On December 20, 2013, the Moscow City Prosecutor's Office reported that the Khimki City Prosecutor's Office issued motions to the principals of Khimki Schools No. 19 and No 20 to eliminate violations of the law.

During a prior prosecutorial investigation, it was found that despite the presence of content filters school computers still allowed access to extremist and pornographic materials as well as information about methods of using drugs.

The responsible parties faced charges, and access to harmful websites was closed.

New Bills on Blocking Information Were Introduced in the State Duma

In November 2013, several bills that pertained to blocking information on the Internet were introduced in the State Duma.

On November 13, two bills were introduced by the Legislative Assembly of the Kirov Region. One of them seeks to ban the distribution of “audiovisual messages and materials containing images of bodies/body parts of people killed in road traffic accidents, catastrophes, riots, natural disasters and other accidents” in the media and on the Internet.

Another stipulates fines for distributing the aforementioned materials.

On November 27, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg introduced a bill providing for extrajudicial blocking of materials about cruel treatment of animals.

Prosecutors Demand Restrictions on Access to Websites That Advertise Smoking Blends in Ulyanovka

On December 9, 2013, the Ulyanovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that the Zavolzhsky District Prosecutor's Office issued a motion, addressed to the Regional branch director of the Internet Provider ER-Telecom Holding.

The reason for this motion was the fact that the company provided unfettered access to multiple websites, including “psychotrop,” “4smoking,” “kurmut-club,” “legalkaif,” all of which contained information about the sale and advertising of smoking blends.

Prosecutors seek to restrict access to these sites.

Once Again, Senator Gattarov Asks the Interior Ministry to Block a Website That Advertises Killers for Hire

On December 9, 2013, it became known that Federation Council member Ruslan Gattarov made another appeal to the Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, asking him to block the “Order a killer” website.

Ministry of Interior had attempted to block this site before at the request of the senator, but it has quickly resumed work. Now Gattarov requests a final blocking of the site that advertises services of a criminal nature.

Court Ordered the Internet provider to Block Extremist Websites in Nizhny Novgorod Region

On December 10, 2013, the Nizhny Novgorod Prosecutor's Office stated that the Nizhny Novgorod District Court has granted the petition of Gaginsky District Prosecutor to the Regional Branch of Rostelecom.

The court ordered the ISP to block a number of sites that featured propaganda of war and incitement of national, racial and religious hatred and enmity.

A Prosecutor's Office Protected Students from Harmful Information in Yaroslavl Region

On December 10, 2013, it became known that Tutaev District Prosecutor’s Office in the Yaroslavl Region had issued motions to eliminate violations of the legislation on the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development, addressed to the principals of four schools in the district.

A prior inspection revealed that school computers provided access to websites of an extremist nature, pornographic materials, as well as articles with obscenities, despite the fact that the computers were equipped with content filters. The motions were considered, and the responsible parties brought to justice.

A Library Was Ordered to Install a Filtration System in Chita

On December 11, 2013, it became known that the Tsentralny District Prosecutor's Office in Chita issued a motion to eliminate violations of the law, addressed to the administration of the Centralized Citywide Library System.

In the course of a prior prosecutorial audit, it was found that library computers provided access to publications included on the Federal List of Extremist Materials. The content filters were not installed.

The motions were considered, and as a result, the violations were eliminated and three people faced charges.

Roscomnadzor in the Primorsky Region Seeks to Punish Providers for Failing to Block Banned Websites

On December 12, 2013, it became known that the Roskomnadzor Office in Primorsky Region initiated administrative proceedings against the four providers, who failed to block access to resources included on the Register of Banned Websites. The providers include Logic, East- TV, Vladlink and V.M. Gural. 

Prosecutors Seek to Block an Extremist Website in the Tambov Region

On December 13, 2013, the Tambov Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that Prosecutors of the Michurinsky Region issued a motion to eliminate established violations, addressed to the director of the Internet provider Telesputnik.

The provider allowed access to the website that published the text of a book included on the Federal List of Extremist Materials. The Prosecutor’s Office demanded restrictions on access to this site.

 Prosecutors in KhMAO Demand Restrictions on Access to Extremist Materials

On December 13, 2013, the Prosecutor's Office of the Khanty- Mansi Autonomous District reported that Megion Town Prosecutor’s Office had filed a lawsuit against the Regional branch of Rostelecom.

The prosecutors demand termination of access to a website with materials that have been deemed extremist in court.

The Moscow City Court Considers a Lawsuit against Opensharing.org

On December 2, 2013, it became known that the content provider A- Serial had appealed to the Moscow City Court with a complaint about files of the TV shows Game of Thrones, True Blood " and Boardwalk Empire being publicly accessible on opensharing.org.

The court has not been able to establish the site's owner, so it sent an inquiry to its hosting provider in Ukraine, requesting to reveal the owner's name. The trial was scheduled for December 20. 

Dagestan Prosecutors Demand a Ban on Websites That Contain "Pornographic and Extremist Content"

On December 2, 2013, the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Dagestan reported that the Leninsky District Prosecutor’s Office of Makhachkala had submitted three claims against the Internet provider Erlayn.

The prosecutors demand restrictions on access to a number of websites. A prior inspection of computer clubs revealed publicly available websites with “pornographic and extremist” content. In addition, computer club visitors could access sites with pirated movies and information about the manufacture of drugs.

The director of Erlayn received three warnings on the impermissibility of violations of the law on countering extremist activity.

Prosecutors Attempt to Take the Internet Provider to Court on Sakhalin.

On December 2, 2013, the Sakhalin Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that the Nevelsk Town Prosecutor's Office has filed two claims against the Sakhalin branch of Rostelecom. Prosecutor demands to restrict access to a previously identified site with publications included on the Federal List of Extremist Materials.

The prosecutors also filed two additional claims against the same provider seeking to block access to two gambling websites

The Internet Providers' Appeal against the Court-Ordered Blocking Was Denied in Vladimir

On December 2, 2013, the Vladimir Regional Prosecutor's Office stated that the Vladimir City Prosecutor’s Office went to court in order to demand that the Internet providers Vladimirskiie Lokalnye Seti and VLADINFO restrict access to websites that organize gambling.

The court had granted the prosecutorial request, but the defendants appealed the decision. The second instance court dismissed the appeal and upheld the previous decision to block the sites. Decision of the trial court has gone into effect. 

Prosecutors Succeed in Blocking 25 Websites in Altai,

On December 2, 2013, the Gorno- Altaisk City Court considered the Altai Republican Prosecutor's Office claims against several providers. Prosecutors demanded restrictions on access to ten extremist books and articles published on the 25 sites.

The court dismissed the claims against the Internet providers Onrela, El- Telecom, and Ongnet, because these providers had complied with the Prosecutor's Office demands prior to the court date. The court granted the claim against Mobile TeleSystems and ordered the provider to restrict access to the websites with extremist materials. The court's decision has not yet come into effect.  

Prosecutors Protected Students from Online Extremism in Orel

On December 2, 2013, the Orel Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that the Khotynetsky District Prosecutor’s Office, Dmitrovsky District Prosecutor’s Office, Maloarhangelsky District Prosecutor’s Office, as well as Livny and Mtsensk Interdistrict Prosecutor’s Offices discovered that students of several schools had access to materials, which were recognized as extremist in court.

For all recovered facts, the acts of prosecutorial response were made, violations were eliminated and perpetrators were brought to justice. The types of sanctions were not specified.

Ivanovo Prosecutors Went to Court to Block a Website

On December 3, 2013, it became known that the Leninsky District Prosecutor's Office of Ivanovo had filed a claim against the Internet provider Rostelecom, demanding to limit access to a website that posted instructions on making explosives. The court granted the petition of the Prosecutor's Office. 

Prosecutor demands that the Khanty -Mansiysk Library Install Content Filters

On December 4, 2013, it became known that the Khanty-Mansiysk Interdistrict Prosecutor's Office, in the course of a prior inspection of the Khanty-Mansiysk city library, had found that the reading room computers were not equipped with content filters.

As a result, readers, including minors, had access to extremist materials and to information about the manufacture of drugs and explosives at home.

The Deputy Head of the Khanty-Mansiysk Administration issued a motion to eliminate the violations.

Internet Cafe Owners Penalized by Prosecutors for Providing Access to Harmful Websites in Izhevsk

On December 4, 2013, the Prosecutor's Office of the Udmurt Republic has reported about the prior audit of compliance with the legislation to protect children from information harmful to their moral and spiritual development, conducted in shopping centers and internet cafes.

Several internet cafes and entertainment venues provided minors with access to websites with information on the ways to commit suicide, use of drugs and alcohol, and to pornographic websites.

The Prosecutor's Office issued motions to eliminate violations of the law, addressed to the owners of these establishments. One of the cafe owners faced administrative charges under Part 2 of the Administrative Code Article 6.17 (failure on behalf of the person, organizing access to information distributed by means of information telecommunication networks in places accessible to children, to utilize administrative and organizational measures or technical, software and hardware means to protect children from information harmful to their health and/or development) and fined.

The identified violations have been eliminated. 

A Provider Received a Warning for Access to a Book by Goebbels in the Primorsky Region

On December 5, 2013, it became known that the Pervorechenskij District Prosecutor’s Office of the Primorsky Region have issued a warning to the Internet provider Vladivostok Telecom on the impermissibility of violations of the the legislation on information and on countering extremist activity.

The reason for this warning was the discovery of books by Paul Joseph Goebbels, recognized as extremist by Basmanny District Court of Moscow, in public access.

Access to a Book by Mukhin is Blocked in Bashkortostan,

On December 5, 2013, the Bashkortostan Republican Prosecutor's Office reported that court had granted the petition of Aurgazinsky District Prosecutor's Office against the Internet provider Bashinformsvyaz.

The court ordered to limit access to the website, which published Za Derzhavu Obidno book by Yuri Mukhin. This book has been legally recognized as extremist and inciting national, racial or religious hatred.

Surgut Prosecutor Seeks to Block Gambling Websites

On December 5, 2013, the Khanty- Mansi Autonomous District Prosecutor's Office reported that the Surgut City Prosecutor’s Office filed court claims against the Internet providers Alfa –TEL, Comstar- Regiony, Link,” the Ural branch of MegaFon, Metroset–Surgut, Tele-PLUS and Yugratel.

The prosecutorz demand restrictions on access to gambling websites. The claims are currently under consideration.

MTS Successfully Defended the Right Not to Block a Nazi Website

On December 5, 2013, it was announced that, on October 31, 2013, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow has dismissed a claim of the Avtozavodsky District Prosecutor’s Office of Nizhny Novgorod, filed against the Internet provider Mobilnye TeleSystemy.

The prosecutors were demanding restrictions on access to the website “Geroi voli” [Heroes of will,] which published materials, recognized as extremist (http:/www.geroivoli.info/deistvui-nsvp-rialne-odobre), and aimed at inciting national hatred.

The defendant cited the fact that the company provided access to the Internet, rather than to a specific resource; and was not responsible for the content and, furthermore, had no technical capability to restrict access to a single site.

Court took the defendant's arguments into account and dismissed the claim.

According to right-wing websites, another Moscow court hearing a month later decided to block this site. However, as of December 7, 2013, “Geroi voli” was still accessible in Moscow.

 

Prosecutors in Saratov Region Seeks to Shield Students from Extremist Materials

On December 6, 2013, it became known that the Volzhsky District Prosecutor’s Office of the Saratov Region issued a motion to eliminatr violations of the law, addressed to the administration of Gymnasium No. 4 and Secondary School No. 10.

An audit had established that, despite the presence of content filters on school computers, it was possible to access materials, recognized as extremist, as well as information about how manufacturing explosives and drugs.

One of the claims has already been reviewed. The guilty party was brought to justice.

A Senator Asks to Close the “Order a Killer" Website

On December 6, 2013, it became known that the “Order a killer  (http://zakazat-killera.com/) had been at the insistence of the Interior Ministry.

The specific services offered by the site included: “physical elimination,” “a walk in the woods” "for conversation” and “bone-setting”.

A Federation Council member Ruslan Gattarov addressed Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsov asking him to investigate this site.

According to the Internal Ministry, the site was registered using an anonymous registration services company from China and is physically hosted in Moldova. Requests to identify administrators and owners of the site were sent to the law enforcement authorities of China and the Republic of Moldova.

According to RIAN, on December 6, 2013, the site was unavailable, but it was accessible in Moscow as of December 8.

Moscow City Court re-files claims against Rutor.org

On December 6, 2013, it was reported that the Moscow City Court upheld a complaint filed by the management of Mosfilm film studio and ruled to limit access to several Soviet films on the rutor.org website.

The movies mentioned were Kavkazskaia Plennitsa ili Novye Priklyucheniia Shurika [Kidnapping Caucasus Style, or Shurik's New Adventures], Liubov’ i Golubi [Love and Pigeons], Moskva Slezam ne Verit [Moscow does not believe in tears],” and Ivan Vasilievich Menyaet Professiyu [Ivan Vasilievich changes professions]. The claimant stated that these films were posted on the website without consent from the copyright holder.