Digital Gulag in Russia

Yes, it makes sense that post-9/11 policies shifted the global baseline on surveillance—but that’s not the same as justifying authoritarian overreach.
When a nation is hit by a large-scale terror attack, it’s expected that security measures will tighten to prevent future attacks.
The U.S. didn’t invent surveillance, but it did recalibrate how liberal democracies weigh civil liberties against security.
Criticizing that balance is valid—but equating temporary or debated U.S. policy responses with entrenched authoritarian surveillance states like Russia is a false equivalence.

 

It is a false equivalence. However, chalking it all up to a reaction to a terror attack if not right either.

 

"Society" largely shrugged off the murder of Boris Nemtsov; virtually no one cared about surveillance. Domestically, widespread surveillance is "normalized" since at least 1920s (if not since widespread Okhranka snitches under the Tzars). The West was pussyfooting around "our Russian partners" and their "emerging democracy" all the way through the fudging 2022. What "wide criticism" are you talking about? Some policy nerds were speaking out then, same people speak out now.

One simple difference you may understand: in Russia, we both would be guilty under "discrediting the government authorities" and potentially "extremism" statutes - and, lately, could very well face consequences. They reached the stage of jailing complete randos for "liking" a post on social media (what's left of it - Facebook is banned). Nothing like that is happening here. Should the US, as a beacon of freedom, do better? Yes (as silly as it sounds in the current climate where everything gets worse daily). Is it similar to Russia? No, it isn't.

 

The US also has had widespread surveillance for over a century. In recent years with the advent of the internet and post 9/11, it has increased exponentially

And for your example, you are conflating freedom of speech with surveillance. We already established the US does not act on surveillance the same way Russia does.

I dont like Russia mass surveillance and I dont like US mass surveillance. Seeing as most people on this thread live in the US, a country known for their freedoms, it makes sense to compare and contrast.

 

I think Stanislav is saying Russia is way worse for both surveillance and freedom of speech. It always has been. As a side note most here don’t appreciate how much worse it is in Russia and better it is here.

 

Some here are immigrants from former Soviet Union.
While I personally had a good childhood in a then Soviet Ukraine, I see myself as an exception.
I remember on evenings when my dad was listening to the Voice of America broadcast in Russian language, and some other radio stations that Russia struggled to jam in our area. I was on guard by the window and had to alert my father if any vehicle approached our building. This was very dangerous, and you never knew which neighbor, friend, co-worker, even relative is an informant.
There were many snitches among neighbors and co-workers.
Once I purchased secretly a foreign Rock album, only few people knew about it, in no time I was reported to the dean of the faculty, shamed and almost got expelled.

 

Do you remember what artist the album was?

 

Led Zeppelin 4, and I also got same day from a sailor Grand Funk Railroad live double album.

 

Those are some nice albums!

 

Thise where the days.

 

Lerner, I didn't realize you were such a rebel!

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/russian-parliament-approves-bill-punishing-104713536.html
Russian parliament approves a bill punishing online searches for information deemed 'extremist'
MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian parliament's upper house on Friday quickly approved a bill that punishes online searches for information officially branded “extremist,” the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet.

Officials and lawmakers said ordinary internet users won’t be affected and only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted. They didn’t explain how authorities would differentiate between them.