Belarus Imposes New Internet Curbs
Belarus introduced tough new Internet restrictions on Friday that imposes fines on providers for failing to monitor their clients and allow the authorities to block sites deemed "extremist".
The new rules also require local Internet vendors to register in the ex-Soviet nation and impose fines on companies selling goods in Belarus through foreign websites.
The restrictions come amid an expanding crackdown on the opposition by President Alexander Lukashenko and sparked confusion on the streets of the capital Minsk about what the new rules actually mean.
Lukashenko's administration said the law in no way limit people's access to foreign websites and is only meant to ensure "transparent" retail operations and help protect people from dangerous and pornographic sites.
"This does not limit citizens' use of Internet resources in any way. Their access to foreign websites is not being restricted," said a statement from Lukashenko's official information and analysis center.
But foreign-based opposition websites said the list of organizations deemed extremist includes leading human rights centers Vyasna (Spring) and Charter 97.
This means that people who open those sites at cybercafés and restaurants with Internet access will be subjecting the owners to fines of up to $150 dollars for each infringement.
This rule also extends to home network providers and requires them to "record and store ... personal data of Internet services users and information about the Internet services that have been provided."
The authoritarian Lukashenko has been ostracized by Western nations since rising to power in 1994 and attempting to recreate a Soviet-style command system under which all forms of dissent are condemned.
The wave of restrictions was extended last year following his controversial re-election and now includes a ban people's right to stage any form of protest on the streets without the authorities permission.
Belarus already ranks 154th out of 178 countries on a media freedoms list compiled in 2010 by their Reporters Without Borders watchdog and the new restrictions left many asking how far they actually extend.
"It is still unclear whether this also covers advertising agencies," the foreign-based euroradio.fm Belarus website observed.
"After all, Belarussian firms can now only sell their goods and services on sites registered in Belarus."
Source: Agence France Presse
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