Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has increased its censorship on its largest social network by 30 times.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Russia has significantly intensified its censorship efforts, particularly on its largest social network, VKontakte (VK). This platform, which boasts over 97 million monthly active users, has become a battleground for controlling information and stifling dissent.
The invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point in Russia’s approach to online censorship. The government, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, recognized the power of social media in mobilizing protests and disseminating information. As a result, they sought to tighten their grip on the flow of information and control the narrative surrounding the conflict.
One of the most notable changes was the increase in censorship on VK. Prior to the invasion, VK was a relatively open platform where users could freely express their opinions and share content. However, in the aftermath of the invasion, the Russian government began implementing measures to curb the spread of what they deemed as “undesirable” or “harmful” information.
The censorship on VK can be categorized into two main types: content removal and user surveillance. Content removal involves the deletion of posts, videos, and articles that are critical of the government or provide alternative perspectives on the conflict. This includes posts related to the Ukrainian crisis, protests, and opposition figures. User surveillance, on the other hand, involves monitoring and tracking the activities of VK users, particularly those who are deemed to be potential threats to the government’s narrative.
To enforce this increased censorship, the Russian government has employed various tactics. One of the most prominent methods is the use of legislation. In 2014, Russia passed a series of laws that granted the government sweeping powers to regulate online content. These laws include the “Blogger’s Law,” which requires popular bloggers to register with the government, and the “Yarovaya Law,” which mandates data retention by internet service providers. These laws have provided the legal framework for the increased censorship on VK and other social media platforms.
In addition to legislation, the Russian government has also exerted pressure on VK to comply with their censorship demands. VK’s founder, Pavel Durov, initially resisted these pressures and refused to cooperate with the government’s requests. However, in 2014, Durov was forced to sell his stake in VK and leave the company due to mounting pressure from the government. Since then, VK has been under the control of Mail.Ru Group, a company with close ties to the Kremlin. This change in ownership has made it easier for the government to implement their censorship policies on the platform.
The impact of this increased censorship on VK has been significant. Independent media outlets and opposition figures have been silenced, and alternative viewpoints have been suppressed. The Russian government has effectively created an echo chamber on VK, where only pro-government narratives are allowed to thrive. This has had a chilling effect on freedom of expression and has limited the ability of citizens to access unbiased information.
Furthermore, the increased censorship on VK has also had a detrimental effect on the platform itself. Many users have migrated to other social media platforms, such as Telegram, where they feel they can express themselves more freely. This has resulted in a decline in user engagement on VK and has weakened its position as the dominant social network in Russia.
In conclusion, since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has significantly increased its censorship efforts on VK, its largest social network. Through legislation, pressure on VK’s ownership, and content removal, the government has sought to control the flow of information and silence dissenting voices. This increased censorship has had a profound impact on freedom of expression and has created an environment where only pro-government narratives are allowed to flourish. As a result, VK has experienced a decline in user engagement, further weakening its position in the Russian social media landscape.
