Russia Threatens to Block Twitter Over ‘Banned Content’
Russia threatened to fully block Twitter Inc. within a month if it doesn’t delete content flagged by the government’s internet watchdog, escalating a conflict that has slowed access to the network since last week.
Twitter hasn’t responded to the Russian regulator’s repeated requests to remove illegal content, Roskomnadzor’s press service said in an emailed comment.
The threats come after Russia last week made content on Twitter slower to load because the company allegedly refused to take down posts related to drug use, pornography and other banned topics. The government is ratcheting up pressure on social media as it seeks to tighten control over content it deems objectionable, including criticism of the authorities.