Fear and Loathing Over Russia’s Anonymous Wi-Fi Ban

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Russia ordered users of public Wi-Fi networks to identify themselves in order to access the Internet, causing confusion among officials and providers and alarming users already worried by growing state control over the web.

While some European countries have similar requirements, civil-rights advocates say its application in Russia is more worrisome. Russian officials denied the move is aimed at controlling users.

The Russian Communications Ministry issued a statement trying to reassure users that they won’t need to show their passports to get online. But it didn’t specify what constitutes a public place -- something the regulations didn’t clarify -- and a ministry spokesman said the matter need to be looked into carefully by lawyers.


Fear and Loathing Over Russia’s Anonymous Wi-Fi Ban Public Wi-Fi users in Russia will have to log on with ID, reports say (GigaOm)