Big Brother hears. Lukashenka gives additional powers to the KGB
Alexander LukashenkoDuring his 28 years in power, Belarusians who opposed him, did not like him or simply wanted to criticize some of his policies could feel relatively safe while expressing their thoughts in their homes.
Now, legal and digital technology experts say that people will have to think twice before expressing an opinion. This is especially true for citizens who use GPS tracking apps, online dating services, or voice-controlled virtual assistants like “Alisa.” “Alisa” of RussiaYandex” is a product of an internet company.
Last week, Lukashenka signed an order requiring telecommunications operators and website owners to connect to the new state-developed system. This system will allow the Belarusian KGB to monitor almost all online activity.
The order signed on October 18 actually reinforces another law passed last year. That one law on paper, it gives state security agencies unlimited power to track citizens’ entire digital footprints, including the smart devices they use at home. However, the law adopted last year did not specify the mechanism for this.
“If earlier tracking through Internet resources and databases sounded like a potential threat, now it is already clear how they will do it in practice,” – the “Netobservatory” and “Za BYnet” groups, which monitor online freedom in Belarus, said in their research report. Report Developed together with LegalHub legal aid organization.
The state will not be able to immediately expand online intervention in this way. Experts say the system is not yet complete and companies need time and money to connect it.
In theory, the power to access citizens’ online footprints can only be obtained as part of an active investigation. However, experts say that there is no body that monitors the actions of the security services.
Lukashenka’s order, along with a law passed in 2021, gives the KGB access to information that internet providers, websites and databases collect and store about individuals. This is from the sites people visit to the messages they send to forums, the online they use bank services and covers everything from dating sites.
Websites and online services often store user data for years. In Lukashenka’s order, there are no restrictions on the access of state security agencies to this information.
This order was signed by Lukashenka on 2020It is the last of a series of repressive measures against the country’s citizens since the August protests.
“Telegram” used by state citizens to communicate, disseminate information and coordinate their activities social targeted the media supplement. Administrators of opposition “Telegram” channels imprisonment was done. About those who subscribe to these channels crime they threatened to open the case.
The new ordinance does not say anything about whether the law applies only to local companies. This allows special services to target foreign sites as well.
The joint statement of “Netobservatory”, “Za BYnet” and “LegalHub” states that the KGB first “Google“, “Yandex“, “Facebook”, “VK”, “Instagram”, “Twitter”, “TikTok”, “YouTube” and “Telegram” can put pressure on the biggest internet companies.
However, foreign companies facing similar pressures in Russia did not resist and obey these demands. However Russia it was a much bigger and more profitable market for them than Belarus.
The report says that websites and online services that refuse to cooperate with the state may be banned.