Internet governance as geopolItIcal battleground.
case study:russIa’s data localIzatIon requIrements
Fedor smIrnov,Isoc russIa chapter
2015 annenberg-oxFordmedIa polIcy summer InstItute
regulatory season on the russian Internet
2012 2013 2014
100
80
60
40
20
0
4975
87
Key Initiatives on Internet regulation in russia (2012-2015)
black lists (436-Fz)blocking of web-siteschild pornography, drug propaganda, extremism
russian sopa (187-Fz)anti-piracy legislationblocking of web-sites copyright infringement
bloggers law (97-Fz)any site with > 3000 visitorsconsidered as media outlet
data localization (242-Fz)personal data of russian citizens on the servers within country’s borders
right to be forgottenlinks to be removed from search results
2012 2013 2014 2014 2015
beyond the headlines
data localization requirement
Ű personal data of russian citizens databases within country’s borders
Ű not-compliant websites blocked without notice
Ű effective on september, 1 2016 2015!
Ű raise awareness on personal data
Ű react to “mass surveillance” (from u.s.)
Ű prevent personal data being stored overseas
more attention to personal data?
Ű easy access to personal data for russian authorities
Ű challenge for foreign companies
Ű protectionism on the local hosting market
Ű Just another method to limit freedom of information
What’s behind good Intentions?
Ű sovereignty of the russian Internet
Ű possible disconnection from the global Internet (as a result of sanctions)
Ű measure to protect against foreign threats
geopolitical background in online policymaking
What are the Implications?
technical:Ű break fundamental principles of the Internet as global and resilient network
economic
Ű barriers to global competition
Ű additional costs > $5.7 billion
Ű negative impact on investment
What’s next?
Ű Wait-and-see approach
Ű trying to comply… twitter, paypal, google, Facebook…
Ű Watch the law enforcement practice
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Internet governance? I don’t care!
Ű Internet society chapter in russia: chartered in 2013, active since 2015
Ű roundtable on data localization (rIgF’2015) Isoc, raec, IetF, microsoft…
Ű controversial opinions, but no real opposition
state-centric approach for Internet development in russia
Ű Institute for Internet development (ngo) – received governmental approval
Ű tasked to prepare proposals by putin till october, 1 2015
Ű expert community in formation (based on raec)
legitimization of further regulatory activities
