Kremlin Tests Mobile Internet Blocking in Moscow Amid Outages

Unexplained internet outages in Moscow, now suspected to be tests of a censorship system by the Kremlin, are causing residents to revert to older communication methods like pagers and paper maps, with sales of such devices surging in the Russian capital.

13 Mar, 13:27 — 13 Mar, 17:37

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The Story

What 3 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Moscow is experiencing widespread mobile internet outages and disruptions.
Residents are turning to older technologies such as pagers, landline phones, and paper maps.
The Kremlin has stated the disruptions are due to "security measures."

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

The Kremlin is testing mobile internet blocking in Moscow.

agreed·EL PAISdelfi-ltvijesti-meindex-hr

✓

Sales of pagers and paper maps have risen in Moscow.

agreed·EL PAISukrainska-pravdaindex-hr

✓

The Kremlin attributes the outages to "security measures."

agreed·Moscow Times

The internet disruptions may indicate President Putin no longer trusts his regime's stability.

unverified·delfi-lt

Where they diverge

The underlying reason for the internet outages

Moscow Times

Kremlin states "security measures" are the cause, without further speculation.

EL PAISdelfi-ltvijesti-meindex-hr

Outages are a test of internet blocking, censorship systems, or increased control over the internet.

Implications of the internet disruptions

Moscow Timesukrainska-pravdaEL PAISindex-hr

Focus on the practical difficulties for Muscovites and the surge in sales of old technologies.

delfi-ltvijesti-me

Suggests a broader campaign of censorship, a lack of trust in regime stability, or a push towards state-controlled applications.

Coverage gaps

The Kremlin is encouraging people to switch to a state-controlled application and testing 'whitelist' restrictions.

Reportedvijesti-me

MissingEL PAISMoscow Timesdelfi-lt+2

The outages are making life a "real pain" for ordinary Muscovites and lawmakers.

ReportedMoscow Times

MissingEL PAISdelfi-ltukrainska-pravda+2

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Why this matters

This story is significant as it highlights potential efforts by the Russian government to increase control over information and communication within its borders. Such actions could have profound implications for freedom of speech, access to information, and the daily lives of citizens, especially in a major global city like Moscow.

Source Diversity

Moderate (46/100)

3 sources25/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

EL PAIS

Left2

Left (2)

Moscow Timesukrainska-pravda

Center

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 3 regions13/34

Spain1Russia1Ukraine1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

delfi-lt

elpais

vijesti-me

index-hr

moscow-times

ukrainska-pravda

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

delfi-ltn/aleftanalytical—Speculates on Putin's distrust, intensified censorship

EL PAIScenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualSuggests Kremlin testing blocking capabilities

vijesti-me

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, with most outlets expressing skepticism about the Kremlin's stated reasons for the outages and highlighting the negative impact on citizens and potential for increased censorship.

Sources

Showing 3 of 3 sources

ukrainska-pravda2d ago

Pager and paper map sales rise in Moscow after internet outages

Sales of handheld radios, pagers, landline phones and paper maps have surged in the Russian capital amid mobile internet disruptions in Moscow.

By Semen Ruban

Read full article →

EL PAISMostly Factual2d ago

The Kremlin tests blocking mobile internet in Moscow

Residents in the city are turning to pagers and printed maps due to the outages in the Russian capital

By Javier González Cuesta

Read full article →

Moscow TimesMostly Factual2d ago

In Moscow, a Week of Mobile Internet Shutdowns Makes Life a Real Pain

Everyone from ordinary Muscovites to lawmakers has been grappling with the disruptions, which the Kremlin says are “security measures.”

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: ukrainska-pravda · 13 Mar, 13:27|Full coverage: All 3 sources within 4h|Window: 4h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

ukrainska-pravda13 Mar, 13:27First to report

Pager and paper map sales rise in Moscow after internet outages

4h later

Moscow Times13 Mar, 17:19

In Moscow, a Week of Mobile Internet Shutdowns Makes Life a Real Pain

EL PAIS13 Mar, 17:37Latest update

The Kremlin tests blocking mobile internet in Moscow

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from simply reporting on internet outages and their immediate impact to speculating about the Kremlin's motives, linking the disruptions to broader censorship efforts and potential political instability.

Initial Reports of OutagesMarch 12 afternoon

Early reports emerge about unexplained internet disruptions in Moscow, with residents turning to older technologies.

Kremlin's Explanation and SpeculationMarch 13 morning

The Kremlin attributes outages to 'security measures,' while some outlets begin to speculate about censorship testing and increased internet control.

Impact on Daily Life and Broader ImplicationsMarch 13 afternoon

Further reports detail the difficulties faced by Muscovites and broader analyses suggest implications for regime stability and censorship campaigns.

Key entities

KremlinGovernment body testing internet blocking and citing security measures MuscovitesResidents affected by internet outages, resorting to old technologies MoscowCity experiencing mobile internet disruptions Vladimir PutinRussian President, whose regime's stability is questioned by one outlet

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

Kremlin Tests Mobile Internet Blocking in Moscow Amid Outages

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Why this matters

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Pager and paper map sales rise in Moscow after internet outages

The Kremlin tests blocking mobile internet in Moscow

In Moscow, a Week of Mobile Internet Shutdowns Makes Life a Real Pain

Coverage Timeline

Pager and paper map sales rise in Moscow after internet outages

In Moscow, a Week of Mobile Internet Shutdowns Makes Life a Real Pain

The Kremlin tests blocking mobile internet in Moscow

Story evolution

Key entities

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PERSPECTA

Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix