Russian Officials Consider Ban On Wi-Fi Use For Kids

dsinc writes that Russia's "Communications and Press Ministry has proposed banning children from using Wi-Fi networks in public, potentially making cafes, restaurants and other locations providing the service responsible for enforcing the law. An official with the ministry's Federal Mass Media Inspection Service, known as Roskomnadzor, said the ban should apply to people under 18 years old. Locations providing Wi-Fi access would be held legally responsible for implementing the rule, and failing to meet the proposed measure would result in a fine ranging from 20,000 rubles to 50,000 rubles ($640 to $1,600), Vedomosti reported Thursday." The law, ostensibly to "shield" children, would apply to a fairly broad definition of child — anyone under 18.

Re:PLEASE

[Anonymous Coward]

No, he is right, In russia w-ifi is ifi if it works or not.

the real purpose: add another bribery channel

[takiysobi]

In reality this law will create just another bribery channel for government officials. In Russia, various government agencies, including fire department, fishing, environmental, whatever regulating/monitoring bodies can close businesses for the slightest violation of infinite borderline idiotic regulations. For example, _every_ vehicle was supposed to have first aid kit and functioning fire extinguisher. Not sure if it's the case anymore, but I would not be surprised if in addition to that you need 50 meters climbing rope and gas mask, just in case. This is just one more way to facilitate bribery across the wider spectra.

Re:In Soviet Russia...

[Desler]

The harm is the same as why the Chinese government censors the Internet. They can get access to "bad" information.

Re:PLEASE

[Stoutlimb]

This is typical Russian mentality, there are thousands of laws such as this already on the books. The aim is to make every citizen a prosecutable criminal at the governments whim by crafting laws that are impossible to reasonably follow. This allows the government to crack down on criminals they don't like, and leaves the rest of the criminals terrified and compliant. Saying that Russia is a nation populated entirely by criminals is a sadly true statement.