Belarus Restricts Access to Foreign Websites

UPDATE: There is confusion in the former Soviet republic of Belarus over a new law which restricts internet access to some foreign-registered websites. The government says the change is designed to stop online businesses from setting up outside the country. But activists like Yaroslav Romanchuk, an economist with the Mises Centre in Minsk, say the real aim is to target high-profile opposition websites registered outside Belarus. ”Technically, if you follow the word of this decree, you can fine up to three million Belorussians every day,” Romanchuk said. ”So that’s extremely difficult. I think that authorities will hand-pick websites that they don’t like and they will prosecute people or organisations that will provide access to them.” Belarus, under strongman president Alexander Lukashenka, already has the most repressive security regime in Europe. Kirill Koktysh, from the Moscow Institute of International Relations, says the reason for the confusion over the new law is that the presidential order was “extremely general”. ”Theoretically it allowed interpretation that the access to all Belorussian internet sites would be blocked,” Koktysh said. ”But now we have official comment that the order aims only for blocking of the internet shops. So we should wait for the real practice.”

Many analysts predict the real practice will be a pronounced chill for internet service providers. Faced with fines and an obligation to report visits to certain sites, Romanchuk says providers may simply block access themselves. ”The thing is that if you, as a provider, violate this legislation providing access to websites registered outside Belarus, then you can have your licence revoked,” Romanchuk said. ”Essentially, you can kill your own business.” Read the full article »»»»