Online behaviour in spotlight in Russia

JUST like his peers, Russian teenager Artyom spends “half his life” online - something that could soon become risky as a ban on searching for “extremist” content comes into force.

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Since launching its offensive in Ukraine in 2022, Russia has drastically restricted press freedom and freedom of speech online.

But the new legislation takes digital surveillance even further.

It will slap fines on internet users who search for web pages, books, artwork or music albums that the authorities deem “extremist”.

The term has a very broad definition and in Russia can refer to terrorist groups and political opponents alike.

Browsing information on the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny or on the “international LGBTQ movement’, both classified as “extremist, could lead to fines of up to $63 (about R1 000).

Artyom, said in one of Moscow's parks, said he was interested in “the future of our country, the policies of our leaders, those of foreign governments”.