Russian digital map service reportedly blocking reviews at memorial sites visited by Navalny mourners
The Russian digital map service 2GIS is no longer allowing users to leave reviews at memorials for victims of political repressions, where people have created makeshift memorials for Alexey Navalny. Over the past three days, residents have been using the review sections to write about memorial events for Navalny at these sites.
Users in Omsk drew attention to the restrictions after they were unable to leave reviews at a memorial on Saturday evening. Independent outlet 7x7 noted that the service displays an error message if users try to leave a review at a Chelyabinsk memorial where people are laying flowers in memory of Navalny.
Telegram channel Siberian Express writes that Novosibirsk users also received error messages when trying to leave reviews at a site where there was a makeshift memorial for Navalny. Notably, it was still possible to leave reviews for other locations.
2GIS did not comment on the situation.
As news of Navalny’s death spread, people across Russia began bringing flowers and candles to memorials for victims of political repressions.
According to the human rights media project OVD-Info, more than 400 people were arrested in 36 Russian cities for attending protests and gatherings in memory of Alexey Navalny.
People in Russia need us more than ever now. Help us to continue our work.