Latest posts by Kevin Rothrock
Russian Parliament Moves Ahead With Banning Anonymity on Messenger Apps

The Duma’s Information and Technology Committee has approved controversial draft legislation that would ban anonymity on online messengers, recommending the draft law for consideration in its first reading.
Russia's State Duma Invites a YouTube Star to Speak

A woman who once submerged herself in a bathtub filled with potato chips for her 5 million YouTube subscribers, Sasha Spilberg addressed the State Duma this Monday.
The Russian State Media: Champion of Internet Freedom. (From Now On.)

With millions of Ukrainians now at risk of losing their beloved online services, Russia's state media did what it often does in unexpected geopolitical situations: it suddenly changed sides.
The Russian Journalist Responsible for the Trump-Lavrov Photo Speaks Out

TASS photojournalist Alexandr Scherbak, the man who took Wednesday's controversial pictures in the Oval Office, accuses the U.S. government and media of “hysteria.”
Oleg Kashin Explains How Russia Reinvented the Political Rumor Mill

RuNet Echo translates an article by Oleg Kashin about the messaging app Telegram, focusing on the rise of “channels” dedicated specifically to spreading anonymous political rumors.
Russian Psychological Center Insults and Then Outs Gay Man Who Called Its Support Line

Be careful when calling the hotline at “FROG,” a psychological help center; you might need more support after the call than you did before you picked up the phone.
Navalny's Army Unmasks the State-Supported Radicals Out to Get Him

Following last week's startling attack, opposition leader Alexey Navalny is proving how useful it is to have millions of supporters among Russia’s young, energetic Internet users.
Russian Protest Movement Says It Will Press On, Despite Federal Ban

Despite being outlawed today by the Attorney General, opposition movement “Open Russia” says it’s continuing all operations, including plans for nationwide anti-Putin protests this Saturday.
Russian Authorities Want Easy Access to Online Dating Logs

Do you hope to find love in Russia? If so, and you’re planning to use the Internet to meet people, the pursuit could be less private than you maybe hoped.
How Alexey Navalny Abandoned Russian Nationalism

Alexey Navalny had to reinvent himself to take charge of the Russian opposition, but he may have given up his populist edge over Vladimir Putin, along the way.
This Is What ‘Racist Glasses’ Look Like in Russia

Russian animator Alexey Yurevich has produced his own version of Rudy Mancuso’s 2016 viral hit, “Racist Glasses,” using the same premise with a uniquely Russian spin.
The Day Russia Outlawed Jehovah's Witnesses

It’s strange to see this in writing, let alone know that it’s true, but here it is: Russia has formally banned Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Kremlin Is Reportedly Planning a Major Mudslinging Campaign Against Putin's Biggest Critic

The Kremlin has reportedly decided to unleash a major mudslinging campaign against opposition leader Alexey Navalny, after his anti-corruption efforts shaved 10 points of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s approval rating.
Pick Your Poison? Russian Orthodoxy or Banishment From Social Media

Critics of Vitaly Milonov, perhaps the most reactionary social conservative in the Russian parliament, have vowed to get him banned from Vkontakte, where his “online status” features an “illegal expression.”
Russian Political Astroturf Is Back

Before Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was released from jail on Monday, a staged “student demonstration” was making headlines to spoil his public return.
Russian Lawmakers Want to Ban Kids From Social Media, Require ‘Real Name’ Registration

Lawmakers in the St. Petersburg area want to purge online social media of all children under the age of 14, and eliminate Internet anonymity.
After Moving Servers to Russia, LiveJournal Bans ‘Political Solicitation’

LiveJournal releases a new user agreement, revealing what steps it's taking to adjust to its new existence as a blogging platform in full compliance with Russia’s stifling Internet laws
Five Years at Global Voices and RuNet Echo

RuNet Echo editor Kevin Rothrock celebrates five years at Global Voices with this retrospective on covering news about Russia's Internet and civil society.
Russia's Youngster Uprising

Russian youths have invigorated Alexey Navalny's anti-corruption campaign by challenging educators in classrooms and sharing footage of teachers and administrators trying to indoctrinate students against political activism.
Russian Opposition Leader Offers European Court Shield to Thousands

Citing his group's past success, Alexey Navalny implies that coming out to demonstrate against corruption could net as much as 10,000 euros for each person wrongly detained and fined.
This Is How a Russian School Principal Talked to Her Students About Patriotism

Leaked audiotape reveals how a Russian school principal insulted her students, saying they lack patriotism, after they challenged her criticisms of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.