Russia Expands Its Internet Surveillance System to Monitor Citizens

At the end of May, Russia's Ministry of Digital Development published new regulations that updated their internet surveillance system called SORM. This stands for System for Operative Investigative Activities. The new technical standards make it easier for Russian authorities to monitor and track what citizens do online.

This is part of Russia's ongoing efforts to control and observe internet activity within their borders. This directly affects people who live in Russia or who are physically located in Russia when they use the internet. If you and your family live outside of Russia, this surveillance system does not monitor your internet activity.

However, if you have family members or friends in Russia, their online communications and internet use may be monitored by these systems. Anyone traveling to Russia should be aware that their internet activity could be tracked while they are in the country.

If you live outside Russia, no immediate action is needed. If you communicate with people in Russia, be aware that their side of the conversation may be monitored. Avoid asking them to share sensitive political opinions or personal information through regular email, messaging apps, or phone calls.

If you plan to travel to Russia, research secure communication methods before you go and understand that your online activity may be watched while you are there. For long-term awareness, understand that different countries have different levels of internet freedom and surveillance.

When traveling internationally or communicating with people in other countries, take a moment to learn about local internet laws. Using a VPN service can provide some privacy protection when traveling, though some countries restrict or monitor VPN use as well.