Putin Signs Bill To Create Russia-Only Internet

CNN reports:

Russia is one step closer to creating its own, independent internet—at least legally speaking. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law new measures that would enable the creation of a national network, able to operate separately from the rest of the world, according to documents posted on a government portal on Wednesday.

For now, the network remains largely theoretical though, with few practical details disclosed. In concept, the new law aims to protect Russia from foreign online restrictions by creating what the Kremlin calls a “sustainable, secure and fully functioning” local internet. The legislation takes effect in November, state news agency RIA-Novosti reported.

President Putin has signed a new law granting Russian authorities greater control over the internet. We’ve put together a video explaining what it all means.

Watch it here: https://t.co/9e1eur4ENi pic.twitter.com/A9fsrRa3Uf

— BBC Monitoring (@BBCMonitoring) May 2, 2019