Russia recently conducted a day-long internet blackout in Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, blocking access to major foreign websites and apps, even those accessed via VPNs. This action, attributed to Russia’s development of a sovereign internet, follows previous tests involving site throttling and demonstrates a growing effort to control online content. Future plans reportedly include migrating Russian users to domestic web hosting services, further isolating the nation’s internet. These actions parallel similar, though more established, internet censorship practices in China, highlighting a global trend towards a fragmented “splinternet.”
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Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology declared using VPNs to access blocked content as un-Islamic, citing the facilitation of immoral activities and the spread of disinformation. Simultaneously, the government, citing terrorism and pornography concerns, is implementing a nationwide firewall and requiring VPN registration, a move critics see as increasing surveillance and limiting free speech. This registration process demands personal information from users, raising privacy concerns. The government denies attempting to throttle the internet, but experts suggest the new system enhances state monitoring capabilities. The push for greater online control coincides with increased criticism of the military’s alleged political interference.
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The Kremlin’s announcement that President Putin is personally investigating the issue of slow YouTube speeds in Russia has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from disbelief to dark humor. It’s a statement that, on the surface, seems almost comical, given the multitude of far more pressing issues facing Russia. The sheer absurdity of a world leader dedicating time and resources to troubleshooting internet speeds, while a major war rages and economic sanctions cripple the nation, is undeniably striking.
The situation is further complicated by Russia’s long-standing antagonistic relationship with Google, YouTube’s parent company. The hefty fines levied against Google, figures so astronomical they verge on the fictional, suggest a level of conflict that goes far beyond simple technical difficulties.… Continue reading
North Korean soldiers sent to fight in Ukraine have been given unprecedented access to the internet, potentially exposing them to vast amounts of pornography for the first time. This revelation, reported by the Financial Times, raises concerns about the potential psychological and cultural impacts of such exposure on these soldiers, who are accustomed to a heavily restricted and controlled environment. While the Pentagon is unable to confirm the reports, they acknowledge the potential security implications of North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood