Even though it has long been known that Russia engages in citizen censorship, recent experiments in Moscow are raising fears that the Russian government is augmenting its information blockade. This new era of suppression, which involves blacking out internet communications other than approved websites, has raised concerns in Russia and among outside observers.

Government portals approved
Throughout March, people in Moscow have “found themselves without connectivity on their phones” due to internet outages created by the Kremlin, said NBC News. These blackouts have “disrupted the daily lives of millions of residents and hit businesses that rely on mobile internet.” 

Certain “websites and apps, including government portals and banking services, may remain accessible through ‘whitelists,’” said Business Insider. Beyond government portals, some of the sites on these Russian whitelists may also include “state media outlets and Russian homegrown apps such as Max, a messaging platform controlled by the government,” said The Wall Street Journal.

This effort to control internet access is not new. Russia has been “honing and testing similar infrastructure for the past year,” said the Journal. Many officials believe these rolling blackouts will “likely be in place until the end of the war.”

‘Massive headache’
As the Kremlin continues to clamp down harder, many Russians, particularly those in the workforce, say they are having trouble going about their lives. The outages are a “massive headache,” Dmitry, a consultant in Moscow, said to The Guardian. 

Muscovites who run “cafes, restaurants and shops that rely on mobile internet have suffered massive losses as customers have been unable to pay for the services,” said The Associated Press. Businesses in the city “lost between 3 and 5 billion rubles ($38 million to $63 million) in five days of shutdowns.” 

Many are turning to more low-tech options, with Russians buying old-school technology like walkie-talkies and pagers. Muscovites are also looking for less high-tech ways to navigate the area. “Sales of road maps increased by 170% in physical units, foldable maps by 70% and Moscow maps by 20%,” said Russian news outlet RBC.

Researchers are calling for stricter regulations on the integration of artificial intelligence in children’s toys. They could be prompted to share everything from political propaganda to information on sexual fetishes, according to studies. 

What kinds of toys are using AI? 
Gabbo, a cuddly toy incorporating a voice-activated AI chatbot from OpenAI, is described by its manufacturer as a “bright-eyed robot buddy.” Rival toy Luka is similarly “billed as an AI friend for Generation Alpha,” said The Guardian, while Miiloo can chat and tell stories in a high-pitched child’s voice. 

In addition to offering companionship, some products are pitched to parents as learning tools. A robot toy called Miko 3 is advertised as the “ultimate educational partner for kids” and features a touchscreen to play STEM-focused games. Its camera and microphone are designed to recognize and remember the user’s face and voice. 

Why are there concerns? 
Miiloo can give “detailed instructions” on how to light a match, according to tests by the Public Interest Research Group Education Fund and NBC News. When asked whether Taiwan is a country, the Chinese-made toy says, “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. That’s an established fact.” Another toy, Alilo Smart AI Bunny, can engage in graphic and detailed discussions of sexual practices, including fetishes and BDSM. 

Other causes for alarm are more subtle. According to a Cambridge University study, when a child tells their Gabbo, “I love you,” the toy replies, “As a friendly reminder, please ensure interactions adhere to the guidelines provided.” Such reports add to concerns that interaction with generative AI output could be “confusing” during a “developmental stage” when children are “learning about social interaction and cues,” said the BBC. 

Is tighter regulation needed? 
The academics behind the Cambridge study are calling for AI toys that “talk” to young children to be more tightly regulated. They want limits on how far toys encourage kids to befriend or confide in them, as well as clearer privacy policies and tighter controls over third-party access to AI models. “A recurring theme during focus groups was that people do not trust tech companies to do the right thing,” said study co-author Jenny Gibson. “Clear, robust, regulated standards would significantly improve consumer confidence.”

Women in traditional attire ride motorcycles in a procession to celebrate the Hindu festival Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, in Mumbai, India. The festival symbolizes “new beginnings, prosperity and the arrival of spring,” said The Times of India.
Divyakant Solanki / EPA / Shutterstock

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Florence and the Machine
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