Russia, which has a history of threatening to block access to certain sites over seemingly ridiculous reasons, is now considering a ban on reddit.
The news comes from Roskomnadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, which posted an update on Russian social media site VKontakte.
Apparently, the government is upset over a post about the “cultivation of narcotic plants.”
Officials have apparently been trying to get in touch with reddit about removing the offending thread – but have yet to hear back.
If we’re just talking about a thread on growing pot, it’s unlikely reddit will take any action to remove it.
Here’s the post, translated by Google:
At the request of Federal Drug Control Service is ready to make the registry page of the site reddit, which posted an article on the cultivation of narcotic plants. Notifications to the requirement to remove the information sent to multiple addresses resource, but no response is still not forthcoming, although earlier treatment from us in the administration treated full. We assume that during the August holidays someone is too relaxed, but this should not be a reason to venture readership. Those who have contacts with the administration – ask them to check your mail for letters from Roskomnadzor otherwise due the technical features of a number of operators may block the entire site.
Last month, a Russian senator kicked off an investigation into Facebook and its allowance of “gay emoji.”