Putin called for taking control of social networks so that there would not be demonstrations like in France. The country should "influence" the work of social networks for the sake of security, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to representatives of African countries who arrived in Moscow for the Russia-Africa summit. As a justification for strengthening the state's control over social networks, some of which are already blocked in Russia, he recalled the demonstrations in France, where hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets for several weeks demanding an end to the decline in living standards and the rise in prices. "The French leadership also points out that the events currently taking place in the major cities in France are influenced by social networks, which are not sovereign for France, nor for France. They [the authorities] find it difficult to influence or do not influence at all the work of social networks in their country. But I think it will be true if we all influence it and think about security issues," Putin said. The president did not specify how exactly such an influence should be manifested. This statement comes a few days after the authorities proposed to restrict social networks in Russia to children under 14. It is clear what the authorities are really afraid of.

Putin called for taking control of social networks so that there would not be demonstrations like in France. The country should "influence" the work of social networks for the sake of security, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to representatives of African countries who arrived in Moscow for the Russia-Africa summit. As a justification for strengthening the state's control over social networks, some of which are already blocked in Russia, he recalled the demonstrations in France, where hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets for several weeks demanding an end to the decline in living standards and the rise in prices. "The French leadership also points out that the events currently taking place in the major cities in France are influenced by social networks, which are not sovereign for France, nor for France. They [the authorities] find it difficult to influence or do not influence at all the work of social networks in their country. But I think it will be true if we all influence it and think about security issues," Putin said. The president did not specify how exactly such an influence should be manifested. This statement comes a few days after the authorities proposed to restrict social networks in Russia to children under 14. It is clear what the authorities are really afraid of.