In reality, Putin, a former KGB agent in East Germany who later headed the FSB, has resorted to growing political repression the longer his more than quarter-century rule in Russia has gone on. A law set to take effect April 1 grants the FSB the authority to obtain copies of any organization’s databases without a court order. Putin signed separate legislation in February allowing the FSB to suspend mobile, landline and Internet communications under certain conditions. The FSB has the final say over which apps are included on that list, according to Russian news outlet The Bell. “Today, the screws are being tightened to the limit,” said Viktor Zvagelsky, the head of the organization Business Against Corruption.

Source: Taipei Times March 31, 2026 17:46 UTC