As Russia’s largest social network, VKontakte (VK) has undergone significant censorship on a much larger scale since the country’s attack on Ukraine in 2022. This article examines the surge in censorship requests on VK following the invasion, the limited access to VK content in Russia, VK’s censorship actions, court-ordered removal of videos, the increase in court orders, the impact of the ongoing conflict, government pressure on social media companies, overall social media restrictions in Russia, and the current status of VK.
Surge in Censorship Requests
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been a staggering increase in censorship requests sent to VK from Russian government officials. According to recent statistics, during the eight-month period following the invasion, there were 30 times more censorship requests compared to the period before the conflict.
Limited Access to VK Content
Russia has experienced the most restricted access to VK social media content, with significant blocking measures implemented. A comprehensive report revealed that 94,942 videos, 1,569 community accounts, and 787 personal accounts were blocked within the country.
VK’s Censorship Actions
VK’s actions in Russia indicate a concerning level of censorship. Content posted by independent news organizations has been systematically blocked, along with content related to Ukrainian and Belarusian issues, protests, and LGBTIQ content. This heavy-handed approach significantly limits the diversity of information available to Russian VK users.
Court-Ordered Removal of Videos
A substantial number of the videos removed from VK were done so through court orders. These videos primarily depicted the war in Ukraine, including war footage, depictions of ordnance, and talk shows discussing the conflict. This court-ordered removal suggests a deliberate effort to control the narrative surrounding the conflict.
Increase in Court Orders
Prior to the military action, Russian authorities submitted court orders to VK approximately once every 50 days. However, following the invasion, this frequency skyrocketed to once a day. The timing of these changes suggests that the ongoing conflict has dramatically increased the rate of blocking video content for Russian users.
Impact of the Ongoing Conflict
The intensification of blocking video content on VK can be attributed to the ongoing conflict. As tensions rise and public sentiments fluctuate, Russian authorities seem determined to tightly control the narrative and prevent the spread of information that may contradict their official narrative or fuel anti-government sentiments.
Government Pressure on Social Media Companies
The Citizen Lab report highlights that the government’s pressure on social media companies, like VK, differs from webpage bans or blocks. Removing content on VK requires a court order, emphasizing the deliberate and controlled manner in which censorship is enforced.
Overall Social Media Restrictions in Russia
The Russian government has not only targeted VK but has also blocked access to other popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, since the invasion. Furthermore, Moscow has labeled Meta, formerly known as Facebook, as an “extremist organization,” further illustrating the government’s strict stance on social media platforms.
VK’s Current Status
Despite increased censorship and government control, VK remains operational. However, its founder, Pavel Durov, has publicly stated that the site is now “under complete control” of state actors closely aligned with the Kremlin. This declaration raises concerns about the future of free expression and open communication on the platform.
The surge in censorship on VKontakte following the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a troubling development. The increased number of censorship requests, limited access to content, and court-ordered removal of videos underscore a deliberate effort to control the flow of information. As Russia continues to impose restrictions on social media platforms and tighten control over VK, the implications for free expression and the dissemination of diverse viewpoints remain a cause for concern.