Russia’s censorship agency threatens GitHub with fines over failure to delete ‘Smart Vote’ endorsements
Russia’s censorship agency (Roskomnadzor) has filed an administrative protocol against GitHub for failing to delete the list of “Smart Vote” endorsements published by Alexey Navalny’s team ahead of the State Duma elections in September.
According to Interfax, the protocol was drawn up under Administrative Code Article 13.41, section 2, which stipulates fines for legal entities ranging from 800,000 rubles to 4 million rubles ($10,850–$54,260). A justice of the peace in Moscow will consider the claim on December 23.
In July 2021, Roskomnadzor blocked Alexey Navalny’s website and more than 40 other online resources linked to his nonprofit, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). As justification, the censorship agency cited an earlier court ruling that outlawed Navalny’s anti-corruption nonprofits and political movement as “extremist organizations.”
Ahead of the State Duma elections in Russia in September, Roskomnadzor began putting increasing pressure on “Smart Vote,” a strategic voting initiative run by Navalny’s team. Roskomnadzor threatened Google and Apple with sanctions and fines, forcing the tech giants to pull Navalny’s mobile application, which contained a “Smart Vote” function, from their app stores. Web pages containing “Smart Vote” endorsements were also blocked on YouTube and Google Docs.
Roskomnadzor has repeatedly pursued administrative cases against various online service providers — including Google, Telegram, Facebook, and Twitter — for failing to remove “banned content.” According to Interfax, the total amount of fines handed down to all foreign companies subject to sanctions since the beginning of 2021 exceeds 200 million rubles ($2.7 million).
read more about ‘Smart Vote’
- ‘We stirred up the snake’s nest nicely’ Team Navalny’s round up of Smart Vote’s achievements in the 2021 elections, in brief
- Under pressure How the Russian authorities have expanded their fight against Alexey Navalny’s ‘Smart Vote’ initiative ahead of September’s parliamentary elections
- Corporate de-escalation Why did Apple and Google agree to take down Navalny’s app? And what does it mean for the RuNet? We asked an expert.
- ‘We know this stuff is complicated, but’ Apple and Google cave to Russian state officials, disabling access to Navalny’s voting initiative
Smart Vote
“Smart Vote” is the name of the strategic voting strategy promoted by opposition figure Alexey Navalny and his team. They encourage voters who do not want to support Kremlin-backed candidates to unify their votes behind the strongest rival. Navalny and his team identify and endorse a candidate in each particular race who they deem most likely to defeat the Kremlin’s nominee.