East-West Digital News reviews the most important developments on the Russian high-tech scene in 2015. Today’s article is about the trends on the IT service and software markets and the implementation of the government’s import substitution strategy. In 2015 the Russian IT services market grew by an average of 9-10% in ruble amounts, according to an IDC report …
This week and next, East-West Digital News reviews the most important developments on the Russian high-tech scene in 2015. Today the series goes on with an analysis of government policies in the field of high technologies and innovation. In 2015 as in previous years, government stimulus played an important, if not crucial role to develop innovation in Russia. In April, …
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s newly appointed Internet adviser has links to an illegal torrent website, the business daily Vedomosti reported Monday. German Klimenko is the former owner of Torrnado.ru — a torrent website offering illegal downloads of movies and series, Vedomosti said, citing two of the well-known Internet entrepreneur’s “acquaintances.” The business was handed over …
Putin’s new Internet adviser reportedly former owner of illegal torrent website Read More
A space beyond governmental control, the Internet has long been a thorn in the Kremlin’s side. The search for a solution began in 2012. Various tricks have been tried, from the introduction of internet filters and the updating of a national system of online surveillance known as SORM to the direct intimidation of Internet giants both domestic and international. By 2014 the Kremlin had came up with something akin to a strategy. Accustomed …
RuNet 2016: Pressure shifts from companies to citizens Read More
Put under pressure by the Russian authorities to put an end to the “total anonymity” of user exchanges, Telegram intends to keep its users’ personal data and communication fully confidential. The international instant messenger will not allow security agencies to access such content, stated Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov on his Vkontakte account. “We have not issued and will …
Presidential advisor threatens to block Telegram for “de facto helping” terrorists Read More
According to a new law that comes into force on Jan. 1, Russian official bodies will no longer be allowed to use foreign software but will have to use Russian programs, and the new regulations will possibly be later extended to cover state companies. Russia Beyond The Headlines analyses this government initiative and the opportunities it …
Russia looks to replace international software with domestic programs Read More
Russian lawmakers have introduced draft legislation that would levy a tax on the purchase of content and software from foreign IT companies. In particular, the tax would apply to the App Store and Google Play online stores, where Russian customers currently pay no sales taxes. Lawmakers say the new legislation could bring in tens of …
Russian lawmakers propose a new 18% tax on foreign-developed apps Read More
German Klimenko has officially agreed to become Vladimir Putin’s advisor on the Internet. Within a few days of accepting this responsibility, Klimenko managed to grant several interviews to the Russian media, including a pair of particularly noteworthy conversations with the independent outlets Dozhd and Vedomosti. Meduza, an independent-minded online publication, examines these interviews and summarizes …
Meet Vladimir Putin’s new Internet advisor German Klimenko Read More
AliExpress, the B2C subsidiary of Alibaba which last year became the number one online marketplace in Russia, has resumed delivery to Crimea. Just months ago, the Chinese platform had stopped serving this Black Sea peninsula, which is disputed between Ukraine and Russia. It was assumed that Alibaba was complying with western sanctions, which bar companies from …
Alibaba resumes B2C deliveries to Crimea, helps Russian companies sell goods in China Read More
For the first time, Alexander Zharov, the head of Roskomnadzor (Russia’s state media watchdog), floated the prospect of blocking mobile apps sold through Apple’s AppStore and Google Play. Speaking to a group about copyright law earlier today, Zharov proposed the formation of a working group to review the possibility of blocking mobile applications. Boris Edidin, …
Russian censors consider blocking mobile apps on iOS and Android Read More
Kendrick White, director of Marchmont Capital Partners, an investment advisory firm, has worked in Russia for 22 years. In 2013, the US businessman was appointed vice rector for innovation policy at the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod (UNN), a position for which he was suddenly dismissed in June 2015. White now helps Russian inventors find common ground with …
Freedom House, a US-based NGO monitoring the progress or restriction of human freedoms as it perceives them around the globe, has published its most recent Freedom on the Net 2015 report, the sixth in its series. This edition assesses Internet and digital media in 65 countries in 2014. In its findings, the NGO assigns Russia the “not free” …
Internet no longer free in Russia, says US watchdog Read More
