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Articles by Andrei Soldatov
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Russia’s Secret Organizations Are Not Secret Anymore. It Seems They Don’t Care
What has become clear is that to expect the Kremlin or its secret services to be embarrassed when they are unmasked is to miscalculate greatly.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Safronov’s Arrest Is a New Low for Freedom of Speech in Russia
Putin has now entrusted the “journalist question” to his security services. We should be very worried.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
How the ‘1984’ Scenario Failed in Moscow
The authorities’ sheer incompetence coupled with bureaucratic arrogance ruined any chance for public acceptance of increased control.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Coronavirus Will Pass, But Moscow's Mass Surveillance Is Here to Stay
Laws that, on the face of it, keep people safe can change the fabric of society.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
The Kremlin’s Ticking Tech Bomb (Op-ed)
On the eve of the election, protests are feeding the Kremlin’s already high level of internet paranoia
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
The Kremlin’s VPN Ban Has KGB Roots (Op-ed)
The Kremlin’s ban on VPNs is less about national security than self preservation
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Security First, Technology Second — Why It’s Back to the Future For Russian IT
In the Bavarian Alps there is a small mountain resort town, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, famous for its spectacular views and its hosting of the Nazi Olympics...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
RuNet 2016: Pressure Shifts From Companies to Citizens (Op-Ed)
The stakes are getting higher in the battle between the state and the Internet giants.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
FSB Will Welcome Russia's Internet Server Law
A little more than two years ago, in March 2012, Sergei Smirnov, first deputy director of the Federal Security Service, presented a policy paper...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
In Front of Putin, Internet Titans Lose Their Nerve
Even the recent and onerous restrictions on blogs were only mentioned once at the forum.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Putin, the Internet, and Popular Conspiracies
President Vladimir Putin, who had previously shown complete indifference to the Internet, has suddenly given an exhaustive explanation of his position...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
The True Role of the FSB in the Ukrainian Crisis
The intrigue is growing over the Federal Security Service's involvement in Ukraine. On April 11, Ukraine's Deputy Prosecutor General said there was...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
FSB Makes Eavesdropping an Olympic Event
The Kremlin not only did not deny allegations of illegal spying. They seemed to be proud of it.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
FSB's Olympic Spying
Russian intelligence agencies are violating the law when they gather metadata on citizens without a court order.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Russia's Spying Craze
After the FSB announced its plans to gain direct access to phone calls and e-mails without a court warrant, other Russian agencies said they want in on...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Snowden Comes Out of His Capsule At Last
After the Snowden news conference, the real question everybody is asking is: Does the FSB control Snowden's every action?
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
NSA Is No Match for the FSB
While the U.S. has checks and balances that regulate how the state eavesdrops on its citizens, Russia has none.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Both Sides Dropped the Ball on Tsarnaev
The failures of both the FBI and FSB show the lack of coordination that has hindered the joint battle on terrorism.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
The FSB Opens a New Foreign Front
The Federal Security Service will be given a detachment of agents to be assigned to permanent duty in foreign states.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
FSB's Cyber Silver Bullet
Russia can strengthen its defense against cyberattacks on state websites and the country's entire cyberspace by creating a CERT.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Now, Almost Anyone Is a Traitor
Journalists, NGOs and even bureaucrats fear that any contact with foreigners may qualify as treason under the new law.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Treating Smugglers as Spies
The illegal export of U.S. dual-use technology to Russia has always been a criminal offense, but it was never considered true espionage.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Why a Young American Wants to Be a Russian Spy
If you are lucky enough to be a Russian sleeper agent in the United States, you can earn a lot of money and do absolutely nothing.
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Police Using Sledgehammers to Crack Nuts
The March 5 protest rally on Pushkin Square revealed how government security forces were unprepared to respond properly to what should have been a very...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Why Putin Will Inherit an Unhappy FSB in 2012
However much funding has grown for the Federal Security Service during the 2000s, this fall they are facing their most serious internal crisis in years...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Kremlin's Plan to Prevent a Facebook Revolution
Recent events in the Arab world have sparked renewed optimism with online social networks. Many in the West are now convinced that Internet technology...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Imitation Anti-Terror
Two top officials who were conspicuously absent from President Dmitry Medvedev’s meeting with top security officials — Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
Turning Misfit Spies Into Heroes
In Russia, the spy fiasco was flipped on its head and spun as a huge success: the agents “penetrated” U.S. society and duped the naive Americans for...
opinion
Andrei Soldatov
The Country’s New Nobility
In December 2000, then-director of the Federal Security Service proudly described the FSB’s rank and file: “Our best colleagues, the honor and pride...