MOSCOW — Russia took a step toward government control over the internet on Thursday, as lawmakers approved a bill that freedom of information advocates worry will open the door to sweeping censorship. The legislation is designed to route web traffic through filters controlled by Roskomnadzor, the state communications watchdog, increasing its power to control information and block messaging or other applications. It also provides for Russia to create its own system of domain names that would allow the internet to continue operating within the country, even if it were cut off from the global web. The bill’s goal, according to its authors, is to “ensure a stable, secure and seamless” internet. Advocates hailed it as an important step toward an independent Russian internet, not reliant on traffic routed through other countries.

Source: New York Times April 11, 2019 19:30 UTC