Latest posts by Alexey Kovalev
Tinder now required to share user data with Russian authorities
The app is now legally required to store users' data for six months and provide it to the Russian authorities at their request.
New Russian documentary brings the horrors of the Gulag to the YouTube generation
Despite the best efforts of Yuri Dud, alongside those of countless other civic activists, Russia will probably remain deeply conflicted over Stalin’s legacy many years from now.
Too big to be anonymous? Russian journalists unmask a famous anti-Kremlin blogger, sparking ethical debate
StalinGulag’s posts are usually acerbic, profanity-laden critiques of Russia's political system, generating thousands of likes and retweets.
Russian state media scolds independent outlets for ‘neutral’ word choice in counter-terror operation reports
RT’s Russian-language website attacked other media outlets for using the word “killed” instead of “liquidated” or “neutralized.”
Rumors of Russia's first ‘fake news’ case against a media outlet might just be fake news
Media were quick to suggest that a bogus yoga ban story could be the first victim of the Russia's 'fake news' law.
Russian journalist forced to resign for Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities
Journalist Maria Karpenko says her editor confronted her about co-running a Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities.
Russia’s latest ‘anti-fake news law’ is so bad even Kremlin pranksters hate it
Provisions of the new law make it clear that its real target are the online news outlets still not fully controlled by the state or its subsidiaries.
The Campaigning Dead: Deceased Users’ Profiles Post Pro-Putin Messages on a Russian Social Network
Most of Vkontakte accounts belonging to deceased Russians posting pro-Putin messages have been suspended. Vkontakte’s management, approached by reporters for comment, said these accounts had been hacked by unknown perpetrators.
Today's Russia Fails to Live up to the Sky-High Hopes Buried With Time Capsules in 1967
Time capsules from 1967 -- the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution -- are being opened across Russia for the centennial. The contents are somewhat discouraging.
Knife Attack on Russian Journalist Reignites an “Atmosphere of Hate” in the Media
The knife assault on Felgengauer sparked a wave of criticism against the state propaganda apparatus, which has recently intensified attacks on independent media in Russia, specifically Echo of Moscow.
Russians Get Territorial After Chinese Newspaper Tweets Photos of the Remote Altay Region
China Daily regularly tweets promotional photographs from Chinese regions, but this time it caused a backlash from Russian users who thought China was claiming parts of Russia as its own.
German Anti-Immigrant Party Targets Russian-German Voters With a Xenophobic Ad
The ad was highly criticized. One German woman wrote, "...because I'm all for fighting for our country, I’m considering suing you and your 'party' for incitement of ethnic hatred..."
Muslims in the Former Soviet Union Rally Behind Myanmar's Besieged Rohingya
"They are experiencing what we cannot even imagine! #Rohingyawearewithyou"
Russia's Social Inequality Is in the Spotlight After an Ex-Senator Gets High, Shoots Up Hotel Room
"Last night an ex-senator Jabrailov shot up a hotel room. He was charged with HOOLIGANISM. However, you are an extremist for liking [a social media post]."
A Viral Rap Battle Has Everyone in Russia—Including Business Journalists and Politicians—Talking
Even opposition leader Alexey Navalny weighed in, saying despite the profanity, the raps are "100 times more cultural than any comedy show or song contest you see on state television."
How Fake Stories Reported in Russia's News Media Regularly Fool Everyone
In August, something all too typical happened in Russia's news media: a perfect example of where fake news stories originate, how they’re spread, who is responsible, and who believes them.
