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Wikipedia protests as the Russian government considers censorship laws
Wikipedia's Russian language site went offline yesterday as the online encyclopaedia hit out at proposed censorship laws.
The Russian government wants greater powers to censor websites containing child pornography, drugs, extremism and other illegal activities. Critics of the proposed bill have said it could result in widespread internet censorship in the country.
In a message on its website, Wikipedia likened the proposals to the Great Firewall of China, making reference to strict internet censorship laws in China.
Warning that the move could lead to Wikipedia being blocked, the website is encouraging people to oppose the bill: "The Wikipedia community protests against censorship that is dangerous to free knowledge, it must be open to all mankind."
Today is the second reading of the bill in the State Duma. Changes could be brought into law after the third reading, the date of which is yet to be announced.
This isn't the first time Wikipedia has gone offline in protest against cenorship laws. In January the English language version of the site went offline as anti-piracy laws were proposed in the US.
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