Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a concerning report on Wednesday, detailing the Russian government’s escalating efforts to control and censor the internet, marking a significant increase in digital repression. The report, titled "Disrupted, Throttled, and Blocked: State Censorship, Control, and Increasing Isolation of Internet Users in Russia," paints a grim picture of the state's tightening grip on digital communication channels.

According to the report, Russian authorities have strategically throttled access to websites and online platforms they consider subversive, blocked independent news outlets, and enforced arbitrary internet shutdowns. The intensity of these measures has grown, especially following the events post-2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Accessing global social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook has become virtually impossible for most Russians without a Virtual Private Network (VPN). However, the government exploits the general public's limited understanding of VPN technology to push state-approved narratives and apps, often redirecting users to participate in activities supporting the Russian military.

The crackdown reflects the Russian state’s view of the internet as a potential threat to regime stability, aiming to curb any dissent or protests against government policies. This approach has been institutionalized since the enactment of the "Sovereign Internet" law in 2019, which mandates internet service providers to install equipment that allows the state to block content and reroute traffic independently.

Further legislative measures have been implemented to control public discourse, including the "Yarovaya" amendments that require telecommunication companies to store metadata for three years and social media platforms to retain user data for up to a year. These laws are part of a broader pattern of digital authoritarianism that poses challenges to global internet governance and democratic norms, threatening the open and universal nature of the internet.

The situation for journalists in Russia remains perilous, with at least seven facing criminal charges, often linked to their criticism of Russia's military actions in Ukraine or supposed connections to the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny. This crackdown is part of a broader erosion of human rights within the country.

Internationally, these actions violate fundamental freedoms enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect the rights to hold opinions and freely exchange information without interference.

The international community faces a critical challenge in responding to these violations and is urged to take swift action to defend digital freedoms and hold Russia accountable for its increasing digital authoritarianism.