This Meduza image shows a list of information about you that social networks would be required to hand over to the FSB (Russia’s Federal Security Service) under the draft order that has been published.
It’s more or less clear what will happen next. The public is outraged. The Human Rights Council will say, “this is excessive.” As a result of the public discussion, they’ll remove the items “social circle” and “list of languages the user speaks” (those were included precisely so they could be removed) and approve the entire rest of the list.
So, supposedly a shortened version. And your messages with your wife, as well as your phone conversations with your mother, will be completely accessible not only to FSB lieutenants, but also to the Kremlin’s political contractors, like NTV’s “social and political editorial desk” and the various LifeNews-type outlets.
I just want to say once again, my friends, that in Russia there is no alternative to taking to the streets as a way to express political demands and make your voice heard.
This is not an easy path, and it comes at a cost, but the others — yes, including elections — are merely supplementary.