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Opinion
May 17, 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 22
have put up some resistance. The sovereign internet law will introduce a whole raft of new challenges for these companies that will question their values, reputations and potential complicity in undermining online freedoms. While Moscow will be relying on their quiet cooperation, increased awareness of internet privacy means it is harder than ever for big tech to justify playing fast and loose with some user data more than others. Moscow will also want to avoid ugly public bans. That means companies like Facebook, with its 25mn users in Russia alone, have influence to wield. The question is whether they decide to use it. How they respond will have implications for internet freedoms across the world.
Whatever happens it will be the Russian population that suffers. The sovereign internet law is incompatible with an open society and a diverse, growing economy. Tech is often touted by Moscow as key to raising living standards
across the country. It is a great irony, then,
when Putin talks of the need to keep up with its advancements, otherwise “new jobs, modern companies and an attractive life will develop in other, more successful countries”. Despite the new national digitalisation program and a wealth of tech talent (much of which ends up abroad), the environment needed for innovation and a vibrant digital culture is continually undermined by a security-obsessed state. This is another act of self-harm.
Polling shows the majority of Russians oppose the sovereign internet law. Civil society, now growing outside large cities into the country's heartlands, is unlikely to stay quiet. Moscow wants help to quell dissent. But the new law will stoke the very protests it wants to avoid.
Lindsay Mackenzie is a writer and editor based in Glasgow, Scotland.
XVI CIS, Baltic States and Caucasus
Bond Congress
Batumi June 13—14, 2019
Hosted by:
Lead partners:
O cial partners:
Sponsors:
Sponsor of gala dinner:
GROUP OF COMPANIES
With contribution from: