As the blockchain craze continues in Russia, the government has announced the first project based on this technology – converting the land and property registry of all Moscow property to a blockchain. The pilot blockchain project will run from January to July 2018, focusing on verifying information from the property registry, which is normally run …
Russian government announces first Blockchain project Read More
President Vladimir Putin called for regulation of cryptocurrencies but stopped short of backing a broad ban as a debate rages over how Russia should handle the increasingly popular financial instruments, Bloomberg reported today. “The use of cryptocurrencies bears serious risks,” including money laundering, tax evasion and funding for terrorism, the news agency quoted Putin as saying …
Putin backs cryptocurrency rules and warns of “serious risks” Read More
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) had notified Telegram CEO Pavel Durov that his firm was in violation of the law for not sharing with the authorities the encryption keys it uses to protect its users’ communications. Adopted in 2016, this legislation (dubbed ‘Yarovaya law’ or ‘Big Brother law’) requires messenger apps and other “organizers of information distribution” …
Telegram CEO refuses to comply with FSB demand to access encryption keys Read More
Will Facebook be banned in Russia? This might happen next year, warned Roskomnadzor’s head Alexander Zharov yesterday, should the social network still fail to comply with the local legislation on personal data storage. “The law is mandatory for everyone. Either we will [have it] applied or the company will stop operating in Russia,” the RIA …
Following a directive from the Department of Homeland Security last week banning the use of Kaspersky Lab security software in the executive branch, the U.S. Senate has followed suit. On Monday, the Senate passed an amendment against Kaspersky Lab pushed forward by New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. The amendment was attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) following a …
US senate votes to oust Kaspersky from federal use Read More
In contrast with China, which has just banned ICOs, the Russian government plans to regulate cryptocurrencies like securities, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters on Friday last week. These statement marks a full reversal from his ministry’s proposal last year to punish people who use digital currencies with up to seven years in jail, notes Bloomberg. Contradictory …
The Russian Communications Ministry has inspired draft amendments to the telecom legislation, aiming to limit foreign ownership over Internet exchange points to 20%. According to these amendments, domestic ISPs would not be allowed to connect to exchange points that belong to other states, foreign companies or organizations, as well as foreign citizens or Russian nationals with dual citizenship. …
This past Tuesday Russia’s Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart) appointed a new technical committee to work on the standardization of “the software and hardware of distributed register and Blockchain technologies.” “The standardization of Blockchain will allow these technologies to develop at a new level,” expects the agency, acknowledging that Blockchain technology is “actively …
Russia starts working on Blockchain standardization Read More
The legislation adopted last year in Russia to strengthen state control over digital communications is not fully compatible with the new EU regulation in the field of personal data protection, believe Russian experts interviewed by the business daily Vedomosti and East-West Digital News. Such a contradiction, if confirmed, would expose Russian mobile operators to considerable …
After exactly three years, Russian lawmakers have abandoned the government’s so-called “bloggers’ registry,” where popular bloggers were listed and theoretically subjected to more stringent media regulations, report the Russian media. According to a law passed in 2014, Russia’s telecom regulator Roskomnadzor has added several hundred mass media accounts, online communities, and public figures to the registry, …
Censors retreat: Russian bloggers no longer required to officially registered Read More
On July 21, the members of the Russian State Duma approved in the third reading three bills to regulate Internet and telecom services in Russia. After the almost unanimous vote of Russia’s senators today, the laws are now pending approval by President Putin. [Update: The President signed the laws on July 30.] No more access to …
After the birth of a child, a young mother needs to be in touch with a doctor practically all the time — to seek help in an emergency, for advice about the health of the baby, or even psychological support. One couple, who found themselves in a situation where they desperately needed assistance with their child, …
Dial-a-doc: How the Internet is revolutionizing medical care in Russia Read More
