This thing is so gangsta that even Putin supporters think it goes too far...

Quote:Known as the Spring Package or Yarovaya Law, the new legislation covers a swath of activities. If approved by Putin, the legislation would make public incitement of unrest, armed rebellions and terrorist activity in mass media or online a criminal offense starting July 20. Moreover, those with knowledge of these activities who fail to report them would face imprisonment. Financing of these activities would be a federal crime. Any terrorist attack or financing of an attack abroad that injures or kills a Russian would be subject to prosecution in Russia. Religious activities defined by the government as "missionary work" would be off limits except in areas selected and monitored by the government.

Russian mobile phone and internet operators would be required to store their users' data (texts, calls and online mobile activity) for up to three years for the government to access. Any online service (social network, email client, website or messenger app) that uses encrypted data would be required to help the Federal Security Service — the successor to the KGB — decipher the messages. Authorities also would have wider definitions of "criminal activity" online, and the age of criminal liability would be lowered to 14.

Even merely discussing unrest, protests, color revolutions and terrorism online — or not reporting such things — would become criminal offenses. As an editorial in independent news outlet Meduza put it, the law would mean "you're either an investigator or a criminal." In short, the measures would represent the revival of the police state.

Towards a New Iron Curtain