The Ulyanovsk region of Russia will indefinitely lack mobile internet access due to federal restrictions implemented “to ensure state security,” according to regional officials. These restrictions, affecting residential areas and businesses, are mandated by Moscow and will remain in place “until the end of the war against Ukraine”. While the government emphasizes these are permanent security measures, residents are encouraged to utilize available public Wi-Fi hotspots and a “white list” of accessible online services. This move follows a new federal decision to expand security zones around strategic facilities in response to perceived threats, and comes as new decrees require telecommunication providers to terminate user access based on FSB requests.
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Authorities in Russia’s Kaluga and Tula oblasts are levying fines against residents and journalists for sharing images and videos of recent Ukrainian drone strikes on social media. In Kaluga Oblast, 42 cases resulting in fines ranging from 3,000 to 200,000 rubles have been filed, targeting individuals and media outlets alike. Tula Oblast has issued one fine to date, a 25,000 ruble penalty for a Telegram post showing a drone attack. These actions underscore a crackdown on the dissemination of information related to the attacks.
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A Department of Justice webpage detailing a study on undocumented immigrants in Texas has been removed. The study, funded by the National Institute of Justice, found that undocumented immigrants had significantly lower arrest rates for violent and property crimes than U.S. citizens. This contradicts the Trump administration’s frequent portrayal of undocumented immigrants as violent criminals. The study’s findings align with broader research indicating lower crime rates among immigrants compared to native-born citizens. The removal of the webpage raises questions about transparency and the administration’s messaging on immigration.
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A Google investigation reveals the company has complied with censorship requests from approximately 150 governments since 2011, including autocratic regimes like Russia and China. These requests, which have more than doubled since 2020, resulted in the removal of millions of content items, ranging from videos criticizing government officials to political opposition materials. While Google cites reasons such as copyright and privacy, the data reveals significant opaqueness, raising concerns about the company’s role in controlling global information and the lack of sufficient oversight. Critics argue this unchecked power allows Google to act as an information gatekeeper with potentially far-reaching consequences for free speech and geopolitical stability.
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A car attack in Zhuhai, China, resulted in 35 deaths and 43 severe injuries, with the 62-year-old driver, identified only as Fan, reportedly motivated by a divorce dispute. Chinese authorities swiftly censored online footage and eyewitness accounts of the incident, delaying the official death toll announcement by nearly 24 hours and removing memorials erected by citizens. This heavy censorship, typical of the Chinese government’s response to sensitive events, prioritized social stability over transparency, sparking concerns about the potential for future unrest. The incident highlights a pattern of information control that has historically hampered timely and effective responses to crises.
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John Q. Hosedrinker