Kremlin sees no obstacles for ‘sovereign internet’ in Russia
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media or MinComSvyaz “sees no obstacles” for the draft law on “sovereign Runet [ Russian internet],” stated MinComSvyaz Deputy Minister Oleg Ivanov at the expanded session of the State Duma Committee on information policy, Kommersant reports.
“It is clear that the issue is relatively new and innovative but a broader discussion at least on second reading is needed. For now, we do not see any comments that would prevent us from adopting it in first reading,” Ivanov said. According to him, “the communications system strongly influences the industrial potential of the country, that is the government should not leave the internet and other elements without proper management and control.”
The draft bill on “autonomous operation” of the Russian segment of the internet was submitted to the Russian State Duma on December 14. The bill aims “to ensure operability of Russian internet-resources in case Russian communication operators are unable to connect to foreign Internet root servers”.
The document was prepared by the Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, Andrey Klishas, his First Deputy, Lyudmila Bokova and Deputy of the State Duma Andrey Lugovoy.