Stories about Ukraine
Ukrainian Separatists Block 100+ News Websites in ‘Lugansk People’s Republic’
News websites in the self-proclaimed "Lugansk People's Republic" are being censored as separatist authorities seek to minimize the "destabilizing" influence of the Ukrainian media.
Ukrainian Official Dismissed for Using Russian Email Service for Official Correspondence
Ukrainian authorities believe that using Russian email services could potentially "jeopardize the country's information security" in view of the ongoing information war between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine's New Banned Websites Registry: Security Measure or Censorship Tool?
Ukraine's new cyberpolice say they want to protect Ukrainians online, but a banned websites registry is causing Internet users to worry about adverse effects on free expression.
Self-Proclaimed ‘Donetsk People's Republic’ Now Has an Internet Blacklist
A new law in the rebel eastern Ukraine state instituting a blacklist for webpages with content "prohibited in the republic" seems to be targeting Ukrainian media websites.
Facebook Responds to ‘Stop Political Blocking’ Petition by Russians and Ukrainians
In a statement posted to Change.org on June 8, Thomas Kristensen, Facebook’s director of policy for Eastern Europe and Russia, explained that the social network stands by its moderation policies
Dear Ukrainian Officials: Russian Security Services Thank You for Your Cooperation!
A group of journalists pulled a prank on Ukrainian officials who use Russian email services, alerting them to the dangers of careless information security policies.
PayPal Blocks Donations for Printing Boris Nemtsov’s Ukraine War Report
PayPal has informed the "Putin.War" report team the service cannot be used for "collecting funds to finance the activities of political parties or for political aims in Russia.”
Facebook's Zuckerberg Responds to Ukrainians’ Complaints, But Is His Answer Enough?
Mark Zuckerberg has addressed the appeals of Ukrainian Facebook users for better content moderation and calls to create a dedicated Ukrainian office. His answers seem unlikely to satisfy them.
Russia Says You Can't Mention Ukrainian Nationalists, Unless You Say They're Bad
One permitted way to mention such organizations it to do so "in a negative light, ascribing them characteristics like 'radical,' 'extremist,' or 'nationalist.'"
Crimean IT Industry Wilts Under Western Sanctions
Companies like Apple and Google blocking access to their services in Crimea due to Western sanctions, bringing a high cost for IT professionals and citizens.
Russia Investigates VKontakte User for Posting Ukraine-Related Content
Russian authorities are investigating a Yekaterinburg woman on charges of "inciting hatred and violence" for posting links to content about Ukrainian Euromaidan protests on the social network VKontakte.
Building an Internet Fast Lane in Russia Could Be a Great Way to Stifle Independent Media
In Russia, where the online space for independent media is fast shrinking, the prospect of ending net neutrality and filtering Internet content poses significant dangers.
Facebook Weighs In on the Ukraine-Russia Takedown Dispute
RuNet Echo talks with Facebook about content takedowns, community standards, and the social media war in Ukraine, where users on all sides resort to desperate measures.
In Crimea, No Room for Blogger Liza Bogutskaya And Her Pro-Ukrainian Views
Liza Bogutskaya's outspokenness against what she sees as Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea has made her a favorite of pro-Ukrainians online and an enemy of the Russian state in Crimea.
Ukraine Asks Facebook’s Zuckerberg to Discipline Kremlin Bots
Ukrainian Facebook users have complained to Mark Zuckerberg himself that their accounts are being blocked on the site in droves—and they're blaming the Kremlin's bot army.
Netizen Report: Ukrainian Journalists Confront Kremlinesque Censorship Scheme
In this two-week summer edition, we look at rising threats to Internet openness in Ukraine, new censorship tactics in Iran, and the Kremlin's WiFi hotspot spy system.
365 Days of Snowden: This June 5, Say No to Surveillance
It has been nearly one year since the first Snowden leaks. This June 5, activists will be launching campaigns, lobbying legislators and holding live events to speak out against mass surveillance.
Netizen Report: Leaders at Odds Over Social Media in Turkey
This week, we look at allegations of public funding for Italian surveillance tech company Hacking Team, network interference in the Ukraine, and Facebook's likely new toy (drones!)
Facebook Status Criticizing Crimea Occupation Gets Journalist Fired
Alexander Erenko re-posted a critical comment calling on Putin to "occupy" Russia's Vologodsk Region, where public infrastructure is in disrepair and many are without access to healthcare.
Netizen Report: Journalists Dive for Yanukovych Documents, Literally
Free expression is having a hard week. In this report, we look at a troubling ruling on the "Innocence of Muslims" case and track censorship in Mexico, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
