Belarusian Internet service providers prepared for Internet censorship

Internet provider "Alternative digital network" is ready to render services for filtering internet-traffic even now.

As BelTA informs, it has been stated today by the director general of the company "Alternative digital network" ("Atlant-Telekom" and "Shparki damavik" brands) Ihar Sukach.

Despite of the fact that such demands to internet-providers are to fulfil since July 1, the company is ready to close accsess to certain websites by request of users even now. As said by Sukach, this possibilty is to be offered basing upon developments of "Dr. Web" company.

"Dr. Web" CEO Boris Sharov stated that anti-virus software developer "Dr. Web" is officially entering the Belarusian market, having finished the procedure of certification of key products at the OAC (the Operating and Analytical centre under the president). In the near future the company plans to certify its anti-virus range of products.

By the way, since morning April 14 subscribers of "Atlant-Telekom" were left without internet. The reason for that is unknown yet. As charter97.org website has found out, because of absence of internet connection, the work of the BelaPAN informational agency and Venezuelan Embassy in Minsk is paralysed.

We remind that the scandalous decree on national segment of the Internet has been signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The decree is to come into effect on July 1. The text of the draft decree brought on criticism by the Belarusian media community and international human rights organizations, including OSCE. The draft decree met unambiguous estimation – the document is prepared to block uncomfortable for authorities pro-opposition Internet resources in Belarus.

One of the clauses which causes concern is: “Upon the request of a user, providers of Internet services effect services limiting access to information which is aimed at extremist activities” . It is known that Belarusian authorities often accuse the opposition of "extremism".