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Kremlin May Forge a Separate 2.0 Peace

Moscow mulling the creation of a Russian-only computer network

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 28, 2007 8:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Kremlin is going 2.0 by extending its reach into cyberspace, where dissidents have found refuge from the government’s tight censorship. While Putin allies mount pro-government websites and snatch up existing independent outlets, Moscow is considering the creation of a separate Russian network. “The attractiveness of the Internet as a free platform for free people is already dimming,” one expert said.

Vladimir Putin has said the government wouldn’t waste its time censoring the web. But with 25% of Russians now online, Moscow may exert greater control, the Post reports, beginning with a Russian-only network it could monitor more easily. The silver lining, one analyst says, is that the Kremlin is that instead of trying to repress its cyber-opponents, “they’re trying to play the game.”

Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the start of the EU/Russia summit at the 18th century  Mafra Palace , in Mafra, north of Lisbon Friday, Oct. 26 2007. (AP Photo/Miguel Lopes, EU Presidency)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the start of the EU/Russia summit at the 18th century Mafra Palace , in Mafra, north of Lisbon Friday, Oct. 26 2007. (AP Photo/Miguel Lopes, EU Presidency)   (Associated Press)
  (Getty Images)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin smiles at the start of the EU/Russia summit at the 18th century  Mafra Palace  in Mafra, north of Lisbon Friday, Oct. 26 2007. (AP Photo/Miguel Lopes, EU Presidency)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin smiles at the start of the EU/Russia summit at the 18th century Mafra Palace in Mafra, north of Lisbon Friday, Oct. 26 2007. (AP Photo/Miguel Lopes, EU Presidency)   (Associated Press)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses journalists at the end of the EU/Russia summit in the library of the 18th century  Mafra Palace Friday, Oct. 26 2007, in Mafra, north of Lisbon, Portugal. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses journalists at the end of the EU/Russia summit in the library of the 18th century Mafra Palace Friday, Oct. 26 2007, in Mafra, north of Lisbon, Portugal. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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