Russia forbids Twitter speed: We will protect our citizens

The media regulator in Russia, Roskomnadzor, imposed restrictions on Twitter, slowing it down because of, as he said, “failing to remove its prohibited content.

Roskomnadzor said the move aims at “protecting Russian citizens from the impact of illegal content”.

He threatened to completely block the American social network if it doesn't work.

According to Roskomnadzor, Twitter has 3,168 posts with banned content on its page.

Roskomnadzor's deputy chief, Vadim Subbot, confirmed to the Interfax news agency that his agency has “technical capacity” to slow Twitter down inside Russia and that it is already beginning to take place.

Moscow has made efforts to curb social media platforms in recent years due to increased citizens' protests, especially of Russian youth.

On February 1st, a law has been enacted in Russia that says social networks should erase the forbidden content of Russian laws.

If a social network is unable to determine whether the content has banned materials, it should send it to Roskomnadzor for assessment.