Wave of layoffs and reorganization at the Russian Ministry of Digital Development: powers transferred to the FSB
[52700] Wave of layoffs and reorganization at the Russian Ministry of Digital Development: powers transferred to the FSB
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is expected to lay off about 15% of its employees as part of a major reorganization, which includes transferring significant information security powers to the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Turmoil at the Russian Ministry of Digital Development: layoffs and transfer of powers to the FSB
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is facing a comprehensive wave of layoffs affecting about 15% of its workforce as part of an "optimization" process that began about a month and a half ago, reports РБК. Новости. Главное. Alongside personnel cuts, a significant departure of management levels is emerging: Deputy Minister Sergey Kuchushev, who is in charge of economics, technological development, and digital education, is considering his resignation, along with Alexander Shoitov, the Deputy Minister responsible for information security, as well as the acting director of the cyber department, Yevgeny Khasin.
According to reports cited in Медуза — все новости and SVTV NEWS — Либертарианское СМИ (known for a libertarian line that sharply criticizes the government), the reorganization includes merging departments and redistributing powers. Part of the information security department's activities is expected to move under the direct supervision of the FSB and the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC).
The Moscow Times noted that these moves come against the backdrop of "transferring the internet to the control of the FSB" and increasing censorship and network blocking. Sources associated with the opposition, such as Телеканал Дождь, emphasized that the FSB has effectively received a "free pass" from Vladimir Putin to regulate the online space.
Sharp criticism of the ministry's functioning was voiced from another direction in КОНТЕКСТ, where parliament member Vyacheslav Markhaev (from the Communist Party) was quoted as suggesting that the ministry's name be changed to the "Ministry of Digital Deterioration." Markhaev accused the ministry of "committing acts of sabotage" against bloggers and of having poor communication infrastructure, while Natalya Kaspersky, a prominent figure in the Russian software industry, warned that it is impossible to block VPN technologies without causing a total collapse of the country's internet infrastructure.