I am a researcher and PhD student at Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland. I study social movements, urban protest and digital media in post-Soviet countries.
Latest posts by Tetyana Lokot
Online Petition Against Russia's Draconian Anti-Terror Laws Tops 100K Signatures
Those who signed the online petition expressed solidarity with Russian ISPs and mobile providers who say the Yarovaya laws will hurt both the Internet industry and the RuNet users.
Here's Why Google Maps Changed Some Town Names in Crimea—And Is Now Changing Them Back
As if by magic, Google Maps has changed some town names in Crimea overnight—but now the company says it will reverse the changes for the Russian version of Maps.
Russian Artists Reimagine Pokémon Go With Soviet Cartoon Characters
Love Soviet cartoons? These Russian artists reimagined the beloved characters as creatures in the Pokémon Go game. Gotta catch all the Cheburashkas!
#IAmNotAfraidToSayIt: Ukrainian Social Media Users Break the Silence on Sexual Violence
A Facebook hashtag started by a Ukrainian activist is overflowing with users sharing their stories and experiences of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and domestic violence.
Telegram Bug Leaks Russian TV News Station's Internal Chats to Random User
Telegram's known security flaws do not explain why Anna Gorbacheva, whose device never belonged to anyone associated with TV Rain, suddenly began receiving notifications of the team's private messages.
Belarusians Get Naked and Get to Work. (President's Orders.)
Belarusian Internet users have been taking off their clothes in the workplace, after President Lukashenka's video address went viral.
Russian Activists and Industry Speak Out Against New Draconian ‘Anti-Terrorist’ Laws
The new comprehensive amendments threaten Russian Internet users' privacy and anonymity by cracking down on encryption and beefing up surveillance measures.
Russia Mulls A ‘National Big Data Operator’ to Control Internet User Data
Russian officials are considering the creation of a "national big data operator" that would control how Russian Internet users' data is being used, stored and protected.
Russian State Censor Can Now Un-Delegate Website Domain Names Extrajudicially
The Russian state Internet regulator, Roscomnadzor, has been grated the power to un-delegate domain names for websites found to host child pornography without a court order.
The Wild World of Telegram Stickers
It’s Friday and today we’re going to write about stickers—not just any stickers, but the stickers that have been flooding the instant messenger app Telegram for the past year.
Immersive VR Documentary on Ukrainian Chernobyl Fully Funded on Kickstarter
A virtual reality documentary about the Ukrainian Chernobyl exclusion zone using 360-degree video technology has been fully funded on Kickstarter.
Russian Blogger Arrested After Helping US Journalists Report on Olympic Real Estate in Sochi
A Russian blogger has been arrested after working with an HBO film crew to report on the real estate situation in the wake of the Sochi Olympics.
Russian Strip Club Threatens to Take Job-Hunting Website to Court for Refusing to Publish Dancer Vacancy
A Russian striptease club is threatening to take a job-hunting website to court over the latter's refusal to publish a job ad for a show ballet dancer at the club.
Russian Officials Make Plans for an Autonomous, State-Controlled Internet
Although the bill is in its early stages, should it become law, all of the RuNet's critical infrastructure would fall under complete control of the Russian state.
‘Soldiers’ Mothers’ Launch Mobile App to Protect Draftees’ Rights in Russia
Soldiers' Mothers of Saint Petersburg, a non-profit providing legal aid and advice to army draftees in Russia, has launched a mobile app to help draftees protect their rights.
Leading Russian Independent Newspaper Suspends Deputy Editor After Blackmail Scandal
Novaya Gazeta has suspended its deputy chief editor, following revelations that he instructed reporters to blackmail suspects in a recent investigation.
The Luhansk Excursions: Dashcams and Nostalgia in Eastern Ukraine
Videos of the contested eastern Ukraine city of Luhansk filmed with dashboard cameras have become a way for displaced residents to reconnect with their home.
Ukrainian Activists Leak Personal Information of Thousands of War Reporters in the Donbas
The international journalist community reacted with consternation and anger to a leaked database of reporters accredited with the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" published by Ukrainian activists.
Russian Court Sentences Internet User to Two Years Behind Bars for VKontakte Reposts
A court in Tver region, Russia, has sentenced Internet user Andrey Bubeyev to two years and three months in prison on extremism charges for reposts on social network VKontakte.
Russian Internet Experts Push ‘Real Name’ Policy for Comments on News Websites
A new initiative by Kremlin-friendly Internet experts seeks to make anonymous comments on online media websites a thing of the past.
