United Russia members were advised not to mention security or fighting scammers when explaining the reasons for internet restrictions

United Russia members were advised not to mention security or fighting scammers when explaining the reasons for internet restrictions

State Duma deputies from United Russia received guidance from the party leadership for the period of the regional weeks running from April 27 to May 10. In particular, they were advised to answer questions about blockings "very cautiously." This was reported to Verstka by a sitting deputy and a source in the party apparatus.

As one of the deputies said, ahead of the State Duma elections, lawmakers were once again urged to "increase personal contacts with voters." A separate block of recommendations concerns the topic of internet restrictions.

"Do not take responsibility for it and do not defend the restrictions. The main message is that this is temporary. [Explanations such as] bans, scammers, security issues related to drones have been recognized as causing irritation among citizens," he said.

At the same time, the deputies were not given any specific wording or a single line of response. According to the source, there is no clear understanding within the party of exactly how to explain what is happening and what the current policy of restrictions may evolve into.

A source close to the presidential administration told Verstka that such information [about changes in policy regarding the internet] is not supposed to come from deputies in the first place, so as not to repeat the "Svintsov experience" (a deputy who was expelled from the LDPR for frequent comments on the subject of blockings).

"There will be statements, but later. From the party leadership or from the president," he assures.

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