Anatoly Maltsev/EPA
Kremlin is tightening control over mobile internet use – allegedly to evade drone attacks from Ukraine.
Many Russians do not like either the or the internal consequences that this conflict is bringing.
Since May this year, the mobile internet fails dailychat applications don’t work, cell phones don’t receive SMS or mobile data after traveling outside the country, credit cards don’t work on public transport, nor do ATMs.
The scenario is more worrying for mothers and fathers of children who have diabetes: are unable to monitor their children’s blood glucose levels during blackouts.
Half a year ago, the Russian government is blocking mobile internetallegedly to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks. Access to Wi-Fi works, but mobile internet fails daily, according to reports from Russians on .
57 Russian regions reported, on average, daily interruptions in mobile phone connections.
But the Kremlin thinks that it is necessary block mobile internet, to prevent Ukrainian drones from using mobile networks for navigation.
“These are absolutely justified and necessary measures,” commented Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
There is a detail: even during these widespread blackouts, in many regions there are some (few) websites and services that are still online. These are sites approved by the Moscow Government, which are in “white lists”.
One application that is on these lists of approved services is MAX; a Russian messaging service, promoted by Russian authorities and mandatory in all smartphones in Russia – and which is seen as a tool of surveillance on the part of the Kremlin, since the data of users will be disclosed to the authorities if necessary. And there is no end-to-end encryption.
“AND scary: The loss of information, the loss of freedom, essentially, is what depresses me the most”, commented Marina, who lives in Vladivostok.
However, while so many methods fail, local authorities try to promote the advantages of reconnecting with a technology-free lifestyle.
