The Russian state has created a blacklist of blocked websites and internet addresses – but the list itself is secret.
It was drawn up following the enactment of a statute called the “law to protect children from information detrimental to their health and development”, which is ostensibly aimed at protecting minors from harmful content.
But human rights and press freedom groups believe the law is being used to exclude content critical of the Russian government.
An official website, http://zapret-info.gov.ru/, allows users to determine only if a given IP, URL or domain name is on the list. A full list is not available.
There have already been suspicious bans that extend the range of the controversial law. Last September, YouTube was blocked for several hours in some regions by providers who had been ordered to block an anti-Islam film, “The Innocence of Muslims.”
Source: Reporters Without Borders