(Bloomberg) -- Russia's communications watchdog blocked four websites that urged a boycott of parliamentary elections in September as the government cracks down on protests and boosts control over social media.
The regulator, Roskomnadzor, acted on a request from prosecutors, who said the sites also called for “coordinated actions by the public to organize protests in violation of current rules,” according to a statement posted on its website on Friday. Two of the websites have removed the offending material, it said.
“Activity to disrupt elections to the lower house of parliament undermines the constitutional order of Russia,” Roskomnadzor said in the statement.
The decision raises additional concerns about personal liberties a day after President Vladimir Putin signed a law that would force phone companies and web providers to store personal information for half a year.
Russia's elections to the State Duma are scheduled to be held on Sept. 18.
To contact the reporter on this story: Scott Rose in Moscow at rrose10@bloomberg.net. To contact the editors responsible for this story: Hellmuth Tromm at htromm@bloomberg.net, Torrey Clark
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
