After 13 Years of Advocacy, Roskomsvoboda Closes Its Doors Amid Government Pressure

The independent digital rights organization Roskomsvoboda announced on Thursday its decision to close after 13 years of campaigning against and observing government-imposed limitations on the internet.

Artyom Kozlyuk, the head of Roskomsvoboda, revealed that the organization had been inactive since early September, attributing this to a shortage of “human resources.”

“As for me, I feel the need to step back from public and civic engagements completely. The accumulated mental strain and psychological exhaustion have become overwhelming,” he stated in a message on Telegram.

Founded in 2012 by activists from the unofficial Pirates Party of Russia, Roskomsvoboda was established in reaction to the government’s initiative to set up a centralized registry of banned websites. The organization has been an essential resource for information regarding internet censorship and restrictions.

In December 2022, Russia’s Justice Ministry designated Roskomsvoboda as a “foreign agent.”

Kozlyuk expressed that the prevailing political environment in Russia has rendered it impossible for him to continue his work.

“While feelings of bitterness and disappointment are understandable at this moment, this has been a significant endeavor over the past 13 years,” he remarked.