Russian authorities are tightening controls over the use of the Internet. On Friday Medvedev signed an order that requires users of Wi-Fi in areas of so-called “collective access” to identify themselves before logging onto the Internet through Wi-Fi.
People will not be allowed to use Wi-Fi in cafes, metro, parks and other public places without first showing their passport. Hardware must also be identified, RBC reports.
The organization (café etc) offering access to the Internet will according to the new order have to give its telecommunications operator a list over people who had used the Internet, when they have used it and for how long. The data is to be kept by the operator for six months and made available to law enforcement authorities.
On Thursday Medvedev signed another order instructing owners of Russian social networks to install equipment and software that automatically will give the security service information about the users’ activities, RBC writes.
