Roskomnadzor is trying to block the mobile radio Zello

Today, Roskomnadzor announced that Zello developers (a very convenient walkie-talkie-type radio - communication faster than voice calls with encryption) did not provide information for inclusion in the register of information dissemination organizers - this is a mandatory requirement for listening to conversations of users by law enforcement agencies.

Zello Inc. not only ignored the requirements of the supervisory authority, but also wrote about it on her blog , and also published a letter received from Roskomnadzor ( pdf ).

“The requirements of Article 10.1 of Law 149-FZ are not only absurd from a technical point of view, but also contrary to the principles of Zello, so we will not fulfill them. The formal reason for the adoption of this law was the fight against terrorism, but in fact it can be used to selectively block any unwanted Internet service. Earlier, with reference to this law, the social network Linkedin was blocked, another goal was Zello, tomorrow it could be blocked by Twitter, Facebook or Telegram, ”the company explained in the official blog.
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Roskomnadzor had no choice. On April 10, 2017, the procedure for restricting access to information systems of Zello Inc. was initiated. All providers must comply with the requirement of the regulator.

The Zello developers explained that Article 10.1 of Law 149-FZ establishes a number of impossible conditions for “organizers of information dissemination on the Internet,” and this “intentionally broad concept” includes all social networks, instant messengers, email providers and even Internet forums. In accordance with the law, operators must:

1. Notify Roskomnadzor about the start of activities by entering the service in a special register
2. Store for 1 year in the territory of the Russian Federation logs of any exchange of messages between users, as well as information about these users and provide it at the request of law enforcement agencies
3. Store for 6 months on the territory of the Russian Federation a copy of all (including voice) messages from users and provide them upon request of law enforcement agencies
4. Ensure the possibility of wiretapping messages
5. Provide law enforcement with the encryption keys needed to decode any message.

Zello does not have the capacity and is not going to meet the requirements of the regulator for reasons of principle. The company recommends that users download the latest version of the PC application , from the App Store or Google Play and install one of the VPN creation applications on the phone. Zello operation should continue in normal mode after locking.

Zello channel administrators are recommended to create a mirror of the Zello channel in a Telegram or Discord and invite users there.

Perhaps this is the first precedent, when the authorities blocked the messenger working on VPN . Let's see how events will develop. Perhaps in the future the story will repeat with Telegram, and now there is a “test battle” of its kind.

The number of active users of the free application Zello in Russia, according to the company itself, exceeds 400 thousand people. It is used for mutual assistance of drivers on the roads, search and rescue operations, in taxi services, to help citizens to law enforcement agencies, organize peaceful protests, discuss socially important topics, find friends and communicate.

Users of Zello and all those who disagree with the blocking are asked to send a complaint to Roskomnadzor .