The Red Web

1. The KGB's Legacy: From Phone Taps to Internet Control

“This is not a phone conversation.”

Soviet Roots of Surveillance: The Soviet Union, with its rigid control over information, laid the groundwork for modern Russian surveillance. The KGB's obsession with monitoring phone calls and controlling the flow of information created a culture of secrecy and paranoia that persists today.

• The sharashkas, secret research facilities, were used to develop secure phone technology for Stalin.
• The KGB's Twelfth Department was in charge of phone tapping and communications interception.
• The expression "this is not a phone conversation" became a common phrase, reflecting the fear of being overheard.

Evolution of Surveillance: As technology advanced, so did the methods of surveillance. The KGB's initial focus on phone tapping evolved into monitoring emails, internet usage, and social networks. This transition was not a break from the past but rather an adaptation of existing methods to new technologies.

• The KGB's research center at Kuchino became the main center for surveillance technologies.
• The first Soviet photocopy machine was destroyed because it threatened to spread information beyond the state's control.
• The KGB's methods were updated to monitor digital communications.

Dictators of Data: The Soviet secret services sought to control all forms of information, including communications between people. This desire to be the "dictators of data" continues to drive the Russian government's approach to the internet.

• The Soviet regime rigidly controlled public space, newspapers, and television.
• Radios were jammed, and typewriters were registered to track information.
• The government did little to encourage telephone use, fearing the spread of information.

2. The Birth of the Russian Internet: A Revolution from Within

“We were already on the losing side, just because information exchange is what Relcom was all about. We would be the enemies of the regime anyway, no matter what we did.”

The Kurchatov Institute's Role: The first Soviet connection to the global Internet was made by scientists at the Kurchatov Institute, a nuclear research facility. This was a revolution from within, driven by a desire for free information and connection with the outside world.

• Programmers at Kurchatov developed Demos, a Russian version of Unix, which enabled networks.
• Alexey Soldatov, a nuclear physicist, led the effort to connect the institute to the Internet.
• The Relcom network was created, connecting research centers across the Soviet Union.

The August Putsch and the Internet: During the 1991 coup attempt, the Relcom network played a crucial role in disseminating information and organizing resistance. This demonstrated the power of the Internet as a tool for freedom and communication.

• Programmers at Demos kept the network running despite the coup attempt.
• Relcom transmitted news releases from independent agencies and radio stations.
• The network became a vital channel for circulating information and organizing resistance.

A New Era of Freedom: The collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of the Internet created a new era of freedom in Russia. However, this freedom was soon challenged by the government's desire to control the digital space.

• The Soviet Union's collapse freed citizens from Communist Party control.
• New businesses emerged, and foreign investment flowed into the country.
• The Internet became a symbol of freedom and a tool for communication.

3. The Rise of SORM: A Black Box for Digital Surveillance

“Technically there was nothing new” in SORM-2, he said. To scoop up the data, “you didn’t need anything very special, just to mirror the traffic.”

SORM's Origins: SORM, the System of Operative Search Measures, is a Russian surveillance system that allows the FSB to monitor all forms of digital communication. It evolved from the KGB's phone tapping system and was adapted to the Internet age.

• SORM-1 was used for phone tapping, SORM-2 for the Internet, and SORM-3 for all telecommunications.
• The system was developed at the KGB's research center in Kuchino.
• The FSB wanted a backdoor to all communications, without the knowledge of the operators.

How SORM Works: SORM is a black box installed on the lines of ISPs and telecom operators, allowing the FSB to intercept emails, internet traffic, and phone calls. The system is designed to be invisible to the operators, who are required to pay for its installation.

• ISPs are required to install SORM equipment at their own expense.
• The FSB can access all traffic without a warrant, though they are supposed to get one.
• The system is one of the world's most intrusive listening devices.

The Battle Against SORM: The existence of SORM was first revealed by a leak in 1998, prompting a public campaign against it. However, the industry ultimately complied with the government's demands.

• Anatoly Levenchuk posted the leaked SORM document online and launched a public campaign.
• ISPs were furious about having to pay for the equipment but did not resist.
• The security services were lagging behind in modernizing their surveillance capabilities.

4. Putin's Ascent: Consolidating Power and Controlling Information

“The main problem—I repeat, I have already spoken about this—what we have is the lack of political stability.”

Putin's Background: Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, rose to power in the late 1990s, bringing with him a deep suspicion of journalists and a desire to control information. His KGB training shaped his view of the world and his approach to governance.

• Putin served in the KGB during the Soviet era, when the agency controlled all forms of information.
• He missed the perestroika period and the rise of independent media.
• He viewed journalists with suspicion and sought to control their activities.

The Media Wars: Putin's rise to power was marked by a struggle for control of the media, particularly television. He saw independent media as a threat to his authority and sought to bring them under state control.

• The Kremlin targeted Gusinsky's media empire, including NTV, for its critical reporting.
• The state-owned Gazprom took over NTV, effectively silencing the independent channel.
• The Kremlin used its media outlets to attack its political opponents.

Exploiting the Internet: Putin's team recognized the potential of the Internet as a tool for political influence. They launched pro-government websites and used the Internet to disseminate propaganda and attack their opponents.

• Gleb Pavlovsky, a public relations man, launched websites with kompromat against Putin's opponents.
• The Kremlin used the Internet to disseminate exit polls during the 1999 parliamentary elections.
• Putin met with Internet entrepreneurs to improve his image as a modern leader.

5. The Internet as a Battleground: The Kremlin's Digital Offensive

“There was a war with Gusinsky then.”

The Rise of Online Media: As traditional media came under increasing pressure, the Internet became a new battleground for information control. The Kremlin sought to control the flow of information online, just as it had done with traditional media.

• Oligarchs launched online media outlets, including Lenta.ru and Newsru.com.
• The Kremlin launched pro-government websites to counter independent media.
• The Internet became a place for political debate and dissent.

The Nord-Ost Crisis: The 2002 Nord-Ost hostage crisis demonstrated the power of the Internet to disseminate information beyond the control of the state. The Kremlin was overwhelmed by critical reports and messages online.

• The Internet became a source of uncensored information about the crisis.
• The Kremlin struggled to control the flow of information online.
• The crisis highlighted the limitations of traditional media control.

The Blogosphere and Social Media: The rise of blogs and social media created new challenges for the Kremlin. These platforms allowed individuals to share information and organize protests, bypassing traditional media channels.

• Anton Nossik launched the first Russian blog, Vecherny Internet.
• Bloggers became influential voices, often critical of the government.
• The Kremlin began to see social media as a threat to its authority.

6. The Snowden Effect: A Catalyst for Global Internet Control

“I realized that nothing would happen until someone ‘broke the ice.’”

Snowden's Revelations: Edward Snowden's leaks about NSA surveillance programs had a profound impact on the global debate about Internet freedom and privacy. The revelations also provided a pretext for the Kremlin to tighten its control over the Internet.

• Snowden exposed the mass surveillance of telephone and Internet metadata by the NSA.
• His revelations sparked a global debate about privacy and government surveillance.
• The Kremlin used Snowden's disclosures to justify its own efforts to control the Internet.

The Push for "Digital Sovereignty": The Kremlin used the Snowden revelations to push for "digital sovereignty," arguing that Russia should have the right to control the Internet within its borders. This was a thinly veiled attempt to force global platforms to store data on Russian soil.

• The Kremlin sought to force global platforms to locate their servers in Russia.
• The idea of "digital sovereignty" was used to justify increased government control.
• The Kremlin wanted to end US domination of the Internet.

The Blacklist and Filtering: The Kremlin implemented a system of Internet filtering, using a blacklist of banned sites. This system, combined with SORM, gave the government unprecedented control over the flow of information online.

• The blacklist was used to block access to websites deemed harmful or critical of the government.
• The system was implemented using deep packet inspection (DPI) technology.
• The security services gained the ability to monitor and filter Internet traffic.

7. The Unstoppable Network: Information Runs Free Despite Control

“Please stop flooding the only narrow channel with bogus messages with silly questions. Note that it’s neither a toy nor a means to reach your relatives or friends. We need the bandwidth to help organize the resistance. Please, do not (even unintentionally) help these fascists!”

The Power of Horizontal Networks: Despite the Kremlin's efforts to control the Internet, the horizontal structure of the network made it difficult to suppress the flow of information. The Internet allowed people to connect and share information without relying on traditional hierarchies.

• Relcom's "Regime N1" demonstrated the power of horizontal information exchange.
• The Internet allowed for the rapid dissemination of news and information.
• The network enabled people to organize protests and share their views.

The Rise of Independent Bloggers: As traditional media came under increasing pressure, bloggers became a vital source of independent information. They used social media to share their views and organize protests, bypassing state-controlled media.

• Bloggers became influential voices, often critical of the government.
• They used social media to share information and organize protests.
• The Kremlin struggled to control the flow of information on these platforms.

The Limits of Control: Despite the Kremlin's efforts to control the Internet, information continued to flow freely. The horizontal structure of the network made it difficult to suppress the spread of information, and the Kremlin's attempts to control the Internet were often met with resistance.

• The Internet proved to be a powerful tool for freedom and communication.
• The Kremlin's attempts to control the Internet were often met with resistance.
• The horizontal structure of the network made it difficult to suppress the flow of information.

8. The Human Element: Engineers, Trolls, and the Fight for Digital Freedom

“We just come up with the hardware.”

The Role of Engineers: The development of surveillance technology in Russia was driven by engineers who often did not question the ethical implications of their work. They were trained to be technical servants of the state, focused on fulfilling its needs.

• Soviet engineers were trained to be technical servants of the state.
• They often did not question the ethical implications of their work.
• They focused on technical solutions rather than the broader social impact.

The Rise of Trolls: The Kremlin used trolls to disrupt online discussions and spread propaganda. These paid propagandists were deployed to attack critics of the government and promote its agenda.

• Trolls were used to disrupt online discussions and spread propaganda.
• They targeted critics of the government and promoted its agenda.
• They often used abusive language and disinformation to achieve their goals.

The Fight for Digital Freedom: Despite the Kremlin's efforts to control the Internet, many individuals continued to fight for digital freedom. They used their skills and knowledge to bypass censorship and promote the free flow of information.

• Activists and journalists used social media to organize protests and share information.
• Programmers developed tools to bypass censorship and protect privacy.
• The fight for digital freedom continues to be a struggle between control and freedom.

Last updated: January 17, 2025