Moscow Faces Widespread Mobile Internet Disruptions
MOSCOW (AP) – For over a week, central Moscow has been grappling with significant disruptions to mobile internet access, blocking access to numerous foreign websites and upending the daily routines of millions. The restrictions are also causing substantial economic hardship for businesses reliant on cellphone-based internet services.
Official Explanations and Underlying Concerns
Russian authorities attribute the disruptions to security measures designed to counter potential Ukrainian drone attacks. However, many technology experts believe these measures are a prelude to a more comprehensive blocking of Russian access to the global internet, should the Kremlin deem it necessary. This raises concerns about increasing digital isolation.
A Return to Analog Technology
The intermittent shutdowns, initially reported in various regions of Russia for months, have prompted a surprising trend among some Moscow residents: a return to older technologies. Walkie-talkies, pagers, and even portable media players are experiencing a resurgence in popularity as alternatives to unreliable mobile internet. This harkens back to a pre-digital era, highlighting the severity of the current situation.
Russia’s Broader Internet Control Efforts
These disruptions are part of a larger, multi-faceted effort by the Russian government to exert greater control over the internet. Restrictive laws have been enacted, and websites and platforms that do not comply with government regulations have been banned. Furthermore, Russia has invested in technologies to monitor and manipulate online traffic. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, major social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram were blocked. Last year, restrictions were also placed on popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram. Simultaneously, the government has actively promoted a domestically developed messaging app, MAX, which critics view with suspicion due to potential surveillance capabilities.
Impact on Businesses and Daily Life
The mobile internet shutdowns, which began on the outskirts of Moscow on March 5th and spread to the downtown area earlier this week, have had a significant economic impact. Businesses, particularly cafes, restaurants, and shops that rely on mobile payments, have reported substantial losses. ATMs and parking meters dependent on cellphone internet connectivity have also been rendered unusable. Taxi services are now encouraging customers to call for rides and pay with cash. Even government-approved websites and services, initially designated as “white-listed,” experienced outages during the disruptions.
Kremlin Response and Future Outlook
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the latest shutdowns are “in strict conformity with the law” and will continue “as long as additional measures to ensure security of our citizens are necessary.” Recent legislation mandates Russian internet providers to shut down mobile internet access when authorities deem it necessary for security reasons. Peskov attributed the need for these measures to increasingly sophisticated attack methods employed by Ukraine. The government has indicated it will explore ways to compensate businesses for losses, but details remain unclear.
The business daily Kommersant estimated that Moscow businesses lost between 3 and 5 billion rubles (approximately $38 million to $63 million) in just five days of shutdowns, with other estimates being even higher. This situation underscores the vulnerability of a modern economy to disruptions in digital infrastructure.
Learn more about internet freedom and censorship: Electronic Frontier Foundation
