I am a researcher based in Dublin, Ireland. I study protest, digital media and internet freedom in Eastern Europe and beyond.
Latest posts by Tanya Lokot
Telegram Bug Leaks Russian TV News Station's Internal Chats to Random User
Telegram's known security flaws do not explain why Anna Gorbacheva, whose device never belonged to anyone associated with TV Rain, suddenly began receiving notifications of the team's private messages.
Russian Activists and Industry Speak Out Against New Draconian ‘Anti-Terrorist’ Laws
The new comprehensive amendments threaten Russian Internet users' privacy and anonymity by cracking down on encryption and beefing up surveillance measures.
Russian State Censor Can Now Un-Delegate Website Domain Names Extrajudicially
The Russian state Internet regulator, Roscomnadzor, has been grated the power to un-delegate domain names for websites found to host child pornography without a court order.
Russia Mulls A ‘National Big Data Operator’ to Control Internet User Data
Russian officials are considering the creation of a "national big data operator" that would control how Russian Internet users' data is being used, stored and protected.
Russian Blogger Arrested After Helping US Journalists Report on Olympic Real Estate in Sochi
A Russian blogger has been arrested after working with an HBO film crew to report on the real estate situation in the wake of the Sochi Olympics.
Ukrainian Activists Leak Personal Information of Thousands of War Reporters in the Donbas
The international journalist community reacted with consternation and anger to a leaked database of reporters accredited with the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" published by Ukrainian activists.
Russian Court Sentences Internet User to Two Years Behind Bars for VKontakte Reposts
A court in Tver region, Russia, has sentenced Internet user Andrey Bubeyev to two years and three months in prison on extremism charges for reposts on social network VKontakte.
Russian Internet Experts Push ‘Real Name’ Policy for Comments on News Websites
A new initiative by Kremlin-friendly Internet experts seeks to make anonymous comments on online media websites a thing of the past.
Is Telegram Really Safe for Activists Under Threat? These Two Russians Aren't So Sure.
Russian opposition activists are investigating the possible role of state law enforcement in the remote hacking of their Telegram messenger accounts.
Center for Monitoring Propaganda and Disinformation Online Set to Open in Russia
Russia already has agencies that oppose and respond to cyberattacks, but the center's creators say it would be the first of its kind, monitoring and preventing information attacks online.
Russian Censors Target Public Wi-Fi Spots in Crusade Against Blocked Websites
Russian censors are now policing public Wi-Fi in places such as cafes, shopping malls or public libraries, to make sure ISPs are blocking access to websites that are officially banned.
Yahoo Reports First Content Removal Requests from the Russian Government
This is the first time Yahoo has reported receiving Russian requests requests to remove user-generated content from services such as Flickr and Yahoo Groups.
Russia Plans to Fine Websites for ‘Propaganda’ of Circumvention Tools
The Kremlin is so worried about internet circumvention tools it now seeks to make mere mentions of them illegal and introduce fines for "propaganda" of ways to access blocked websites.
Twitter Reports Massive Increase in Russian Government's Content Removal Requests
In the second half of 2015 Russian government agencies submitted 1,735 requests to remove content from Twitter—more than 25 times the number submitted in the first half of 2015.
Anti-Extremism Police in Yakutia, Russia, Say They Have Ways of Finding You on WhatsApp
WhatsApp messenger is hugely popular in Yakutia—and the anti-extremist police force are on it.
Ukrainian Court Equates Social Network Profile With Mainstream Media
The social media pages containing "calls to overthrow authorities" were determined by the court to be "mass media" because they were public and accessible to an unlimited number of people.
Hard Labor for Woman Who Reposted Online Criticism of Russia's Actions in Ukraine
A Russian court found Vologzheninova guilty of "discrediting the political order" and of "inciting enmity" by reposting or liking online material critical of Russia’s actions in Crimea and in Donbas.
Kremlin Censor Finally Brings Down the Hammer on the RuNet’s Pluckiest Freedom Advocates
Government censors have blocked the website of Russian digital rights organization RosKomSvoboda for a page with instructions on how to circumvent online censorship and access blocked websites.
Russian Social Network VK Claims to Protect Users From Warrantless Surveillance
VKontakte's Ukrainian spokesperson says the social network abhors censorship and only shares user data with secret services when presented with court orders. The website's turbulent history paints a different picture.
New Ukrainian Draft Bill Seeks Extrajudicial Blocking for Websites Violating Copyright
A new bill in the Ukrainian parliament wants to replace the common pre-court notice and takedown procedure for copyright violations online with a faster blocking mechanism bypassing the courts.
