Mass surveillance in Russia

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) uses a special analytical search system designed by the Russian firm Analytic Business Solutions called "Semantic Archive".[2] The advertised features of Semantic Archive are:[3][4]

• Automated collecting and processing of information obtained from heterogeneous sources, both internal (file documents, proprietary databases, e-mails) and external (online databases, news media, blogs, forums, social networks).
• Single uniform storage for all types of collecting documents.
• Knowledge extraction, i.e. automatic and semi-automatic extraction of objects, events and relationships from documents.
• Maintaining of knowledge base and collecting dossiers on particular projects, investigations, partners, competitors, clients, etc.
• Revealing of hidden or implicit relationships between objects.
• Visual presentation of knowledge in the form of semantic network.
• Variety of reports used to present results of research.

It is used by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Ministry of the Interior (MVD) to monitor open sources and the Internet, including the blogosphere and social networks.[5]

Russia's System of Operational-Investigatory Measures (SORM) requires telecommunications operators to install hardware provided by the Federal Security Service (FSB) which allow the agency to monitor users' communications metadata and content, including phone calls, email traffic and web browsing activity.[6]

The SORM-1 (implemented in 1995) system captures telephone and mobile phone communications, SORM-2 (implemented in 1999) intercepts Internet traffic, and SORM-3 collects information from all forms of communication, providing long-term storage of all information and data on subscribers, including actual recordings and locations.[7] In 2014, the system was expanded to include social media platforms, and the Ministry of Communications ordered companies to install new equipment with Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) capability.[6] In 2016, SORM-3 added additional classified regulations that apply to all Internet Service providers in Russia.[6]

The FSB is required to obtain a post-collection court warrant to access these records. Surveillance can begin before the warrant is granted or requested, the warrant need not be shown to the telecom operator, and it is only required for the retrieval of collected communications content, not for the metadata.[6]

The European Court for Human Rights deemed Russia's SORM legislation in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights in 2015 (Zakharov v. Russia).

In response to the threats posed by Islamic insurgents as well as its proximity to the Georgian territory, the Russian government used comprehensive screening practices during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.[8] It was also reported to have served as a testing ground for comprehensive and invasive surveillance, which made Sochi the most policed environment in history.[9] The blanket surveillance program was deployed from February 7 to 23.[10]

The FSB made classified arrangements for significant upgrades to SORM equipment in Sochi prior to the event. All communication and Internet traffic by Sochi residents is now captured and filtered through deep packet inspection systems at all mobile networks using the SORM 3 technology, described as "giant vacuum cleaner which scoops all electronic transmissions from all users all the time".[9] Roskomnadzor, a federal executive body responsible for media control, reported that several local ISPs were fined by the government after they failed to install FSB-recommended SORM devices.[11] The state invoked the right to lawful interception to track all digital activities within its national borders.[8] Aside from security perimeters manned by the police, the government also installed 5,500 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor the surrounding countryside.[8]

A 2014 law dubbed "Bloggers law" includes data retention provisions. According to the law, bloggers with over 3,000 daily readers are required to register and can no longer remain anonymous online. Organizations that provide platforms for their work such as search engines, social networks and other forums must maintain computer records on Russian soil of everything posted over the previous six months.[12] Major services required to comply include Facebook, Skype, Gmail and Twitter.[13][14]

As of August 2014, operators of public Wi-Fi networks in Russia have to identify users by IDs. The identification data is to be stored for at least six months.[15]

In July 2016, President Vladimir Putin signed into law two sets of legislative amendments commonly referred to as the Yarovaya Law after their key author, Irina Yarovaya. According to the amendments, Internet and telecom companies are required to store communications and metadata for 6 months to 3 years. They are required to disclose them, as well as "all other information necessary," to authorities on request and without a court order. It also requires email and messaging service providers to have cryptographic backdoors. The surveillance regulations has taken effect on 1 July 2018.