Russian authorities are seeking to expand Internet surveillance, ordering Internet service providers to temporarily store all traffic, making it available to the internal security service, the FSB.
Under a decree drafted by the Ministry of Communications, providers will have to install equipment that will record and store their subscribers' Internet activity for at least 12 hours, and provide security services with exclusive access to this data.
Security measures in Russia have increased dramatically in anticipation of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The decree, unveiled on Monday, has raised concerns about increased government surveillance of the Internet. According to Kommersant, the decree was drafted with the help of the FSB and is expected to come into effect in July, subject to final government approval. The data the agency will have access to includes phone numbers, IP addresses, account names, email addresses and social media activity.
The newspaper cites a letter sent by the company Vimpelcom to the ministry, which questions the legality and constitutionality of the decree.
Responding to a question from Reuters, the Russian Communications Ministry responded that such measures are needed to protect citizens from criminals and terrorists.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
