Chechnya decides to set up commission to monitor messages in social networks

The Public Chamber of Chechnya has decided to establish a special commission for monitoring the social networks on the Internet. Its main mission will be to counter extremist statements, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The decision was made by the members of the Public Chamber at their sitting on October 29, after discussing the role of civil society institutions in ensuring information security.

"It is here (in social networks, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") that we see an active dissemination of extremist ideas that may have a detrimental impact on network users, mostly, the young audience," said a member of the Public Chamber.

According to the head of a local NGO, in recent months, various websites have posted audio and video appeals of religious and other leaders, who "often hold blatant propaganda of extremist ideas."

"It is under the influence of such interventions that young people become addicted to ideas of jihadism and radicalism, go to war in Middle East, or join the armed groupings active in the Caucasus... On the other hand, there is a serious danger that social networks will get under total control; and it can lead to persecution of dissidents," said the public activist.

Let us remind you that on October 20 the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov moved an idea to stop the Internet in the territory of his republic. According to his story, with the closing of the Internet, "people would stop killing each other."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.