Russia Backs Down On Skype, Gmail Ban

An anonymous reader writes "Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has backed away from its call for a ban on Skype, Gmail and Hotmail, first voiced on Friday. On 8 April, FSB official Alexander Andreyechkin said foreign-based services that allowed for encrypted communications posed a security problem for Russia. 'The uncontrollable use of such services can lead to a major threat to Russia's security,' Andreyechkin reportedly said at a government meeting."

Comments

Re:ban at what scope?

[Narcogen]

The proposed ban was not against use in government communications. They need pass no law to achieve that, an executive order would be enough. The proposed ban was against any and all encrypted communications within the territory of Russia where the government has no key escrow. That includes Skype, Gmail, SSL, and plenty of other things.

There's no education issue here, unless what you mean is that they want to 'educate' Russian students about the benefit of alternatives to Skype and Gmail that the Russian government can intercept.

Re:ban at what scope?

[Martian_Kyo]

True but banning applications is really not the best way.

To paraphrase the popular saying:
Applications don't leak information people leak information.

If your employees are stupid enough to discuss US invasion plans over hotmail, and you ban hotmail they will find even dumber way to discuss it trust me.

Re:ban at what scope?

[jpapon]

There are more people in the world who distrust the US government than there are people who distrust the Russian government

Now that's an interesting statement. How can you claim to know that? Is it because the statements you pull out of your ass are usually true?