Russians Protest Digital Lockdown

0:00Russians are hitting the streets in frustration over massive internet shutdowns that have wrecked daily life. Officials say it's to stop Ukrainian drones using local cell networks during the four-year-old invasion, but these blackouts hit even remote areas. Never touched by attacks. Cell phone data and sometimes broadband get cut, leaving folks with just the short list of approved sites and apps. The government's ramping up controls, blocking WhatsApp and Telegram calls, then messages, unless you sneak past with a virtual private network. Now they're pushing a state-run app called Max for chats, while ordering ministers to crush VPN, use even harder. For years, they block sites and apps that won't play by Kremlin rules. People can't easily call taxis, get deliveries, or pay bills online anymore, and staying connected with family feels impossible. Businesses are hurting bad, with leaders from big phone companies and industry groups begging Putin for a fix, like targeting just suspicious users, instead of blanket shutdowns.

1:01Activists are playing its smart, filing for legal rallies and posting flyers, though most get denied in some face arrests. Even Kremlin backers are speaking out, and opposition figures plan bigger pushes on April 12, Cosmonautics Day. Armenia's Prime Minister took a swipe at Putin too, boasting their social media runs totally free. These digital lockdowns hurting everyone into government apps, sparking real anger from Moscow to the far east. As please pile up in protest broom, Russia's web stays on the tight leash, testing how much folks will take. Canada news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters. I'm Corey, with the story.