Russian lawmakers have endorsed a draft legislation that could cut off Russia from the global internet.
On April 11, the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) adopted the second reading of draft legislation designed to “ensure the safe and sustainable functioning” of Internet service in Russia, according to Russian media outlets.
Lawmakers say the law will defend the country against foreign aggression, serving as insurance, in case Russia’s global Internet access is shut off from abroad.
The law is expected to take effect on November 1, 2019.
Recall, the bill, co-authored by Andrei Lugovoi passed its first reading in the State Duma on February 12 by 334 votes to 47.
The bill envisions the ‘Runet’ – the Russian segment of the internet – being able to operate independently from the rest of the world in case of global malfunctions or deliberate internet disconnection. The measures to ensure internet stability include the creation of a national DNS system that stores all of the domain names and corresponding IP numbers.
It proposes creating a center to “ensure and control the routing of internet traffic” and requires that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) install “technical measures to withstand threats”.
It also mandates regular “drills” to test whether Russia’s internet can function in an isolated mode.
The new legislation was reportedly drafted in response to the new US cyber strategy that accuses Russia, along with China, Iran, and North Korea, of using cyber tools to “undermine” its economy and democracy. It also threatens dire consequences for anyone conducting cyber activity against the US.
Some media reports say a heated debate preceded the vote with many legislators from minority parties criticizing it as too costly and argued that it was not written by experts.
Critics say the bill shows the authorities’ continued efforts to limit internet freedoms despite the huge public and private cost.
The concept appears similar to China’s Great Firewall, which regulates internet operations in view of reinforcing national sovereignty.
