Russia made headlines this year following numerous accusations of using the internet to meddle in US and other western elections, so it makes sense that Putin would be wary of the impact it could have on his own efforts to remain in power. But he’s already taken steps to mitigate this risk. Last month, apparently in retaliation to US pressure on Russian media, he signed a new “foreign agents” law. This allows the government to list any international media operating in the country as a “foreign agent”, and subject them to additional and often demanding requirements.
Putin says that the new law and proposed plans for monitoring online activity won’t “narrow the space” for freedom on the internet, which is obviously up for debate. It will make his re-election bid more straightforward though, not that he desperately needs additional help at this stage. Polls currently show he’s on course for comfortable re-election in March, putting him in power for another six years until 2024.
