Stories from RuNet Echo from December, 2014
New Protest Facebook Page Already in Place as Kremlin Moves Navalny Verdict Forward
As thousands of Russians joined a January 15 protest against the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Navalny, the court suddenly moved the verdict announcement to tomorrow, December 30.
Meet the Kremlin's Snitch
A Russian Internet group has leaked a trove of emails allegedly from inside the Kremlin, showing reports about the political activities of influential bloggers and independent journalists.
Facebook and Twitter ‘Won't Block’ Navalny in Russia, As Kremlin Continues to Block Protest Mentions
Tv Rain reports Facebook and Twitter have decided not to block any more Navalny protest pages, aware that this might mean their whole websites may be blocked in Russia.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
Washington's $60 Million for Russian Democracy Promotion Is ‘Essentially a Recommendation’
A source in Washington says, “The authorization language is essentially a recommendation, and we’re not expecting it to result in any new appropriations for Russian media or civil society.”
Thousands to Attend Unsanctioned Protest Outside Kremlin Against Putin-Critic's Verdict
Whether it takes place on January 14 or 15, the demonstration promises a conflict with Moscow police, as its organizer isn’t planning to ask the government's permission.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.
The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Do #EmptyShelves Await Tomorrow's Russia?
The rush to invest in dollars, vacuum cleaners, jackets, and more all suggests confidence low enough to compel people to wait in line for hours on a Tuesday night.
After Grozny Gun Battle, Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya Under Attack
Joint Mobile Group is one of Chechnya's last remaining human rights organizations. If it's forced from the republic, the loss to the local population would be difficult to exaggerate.
Ukrainian Hackers Leak Russian Interior Ministry Docs with ‘Evidence’ of Russian Invasion
Ukrainian Cyber Forces hacker collective has leaked documents from Russian Interior Ministry servers that activists claim show evidence of Russian military presence in Ukraine.
The Ruble May Be Falling, But Russian Memes Are Soaring
Amid growing anxiety about Russia’s currency and economy, RuNet Echo has collected several of the most popular and amusing examples of “ruble memes” on Russian Twitter.
Russia's ‘Anonymous International’ Promises New Wave of Leaks
A former Kremlin youth group organizer is at the center of a developing data leak scandal. What does Russia's "Anonymous International" have planned?
A New Filtering System Could Slow Down RuNet. And Then There's the Censorship
Internet filtering at ISP level might become reality in Russia by the end of 2014. This would slow down Internet speeds and introduce more surveillance and censorship in the RuNet.
Russian Prosecutors Say Man's Reaction to Ethnic Riot Was Hate Speech
Konstantin Sankov stands accused of "calling for hostile acts against a group defined in terms of national identity." If convicted, he could go to prison for 5 years.
Ukraine's New “Ministry of Truth” Ridiculed on Social Media
The creation of a new Ministry of Information Policy within the Ukrainian government has caused widespread consternation among Ukrainians, leading critics to dub it the "Ministry of Truth."
Russia Counts the Dead As Militants Strike in Grozny
At least 5 officers have been killed, an exploded police car lies smoldering in city's downtown, and Grozny's "Press House" Building is in flames and under siege.
Russia’s Largest Social Network Now More Popular Among Young People Than Any Website or TV Channel
Could Russians, if they spared more time for information instead of entertainment, make better use of online social networks' superior access to unfiltered news? Not necessary.
Russia's Monument to Steve Jobs, Dismantled to Protest Tim Cook's Coming Out, Will Be Auctioned Abroad
Earlier today, owners announced they will auction the Jobs statue to anyone who promises to take it abroad. The starting price is set at 5 million rubles (about $95,000).
About our RuNet Echo coverage
Maxim Edwards is the RuNet Echo editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
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