Boston, MA 05/18/2014 (wallstreetpr) – The Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev on May 16, 2014 condemned Maksim Ksenzov, Deputy Head, Roskomnadzor (a telecom, communications and IT agency) for his remarks on putting a ban on Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR). Roskomnadzor, the Internet regulator warned that Moscow was taking into consideration its views to squeeze limitations on the Internet.
The daily newspaper called Izvestia on May 16, 2014 published Maksim Ksenzov’s interview in which he said that they could completely block Facebook and Twitter in Russia on May 17, 2014. The media regulator also warned to clock twitter on May 16 itself, but his warning was rapidly over-ruled by the Prime Minister of Russia.
Words from Maksim Ksenzov
Maksim Ksenzov, who is the Deputy Head of the federal body, said that despite requests, Twitter did not respond to remove “illegal content” and ban a few users and therefore the only solution left was blocking the site.
What the PM said?
Dmitry Medvedev, the PM of Russia, through his update on Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) said that the officials needed to put on their brains and not announce the ban or blocking of the social networking sites. At the same time, the PM, who is always active on the social networks, also wrote that the network users as well as everyone else should follow the Russian law.
What concerns Russia?
The debate on putting a ban on Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) and social networks was started after the Russian officials explained that Twitter did not pay heed to its demand for deleting illegal or extremist content. Also, the officials in Russia said that fake accounts as well as those accounts which spread libelous information, were their prime concern.
The Internet Law in Russia
The Parliament of Russia in the month of February gave rights to the office of General Procurator to order blocking of any web page sans the need of court rulings. Also, in March, the Parliament passed the law which treated bloggers with more than 3000 Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) followers as the media and thus made it mandatory for such bloggers to register themselves with the Communications Supervision Agency of Russia. Such bloggers are also obligated to follow the rules and regulations as imposed by mass media.
