May 24 Russian Social Media Blackout
Artist:
Year: 2013
Date of Action: May 24, 2013
Region: Russia and Central Asia
Location: Russia
Subject: Government Secrecy
Medium: Online
Confronting Bodies:
Description of Artwork: Vkontakte, the social media website.
The Incident: Vkontakte, the second most popular website in Russia was shut down for several hours. Russian authorities claimed that it was an accident, but it still prompted massive public backlash. It "has reinvigorated the debate on internet censorship and differing world views on what should be made available to the public on the web."
Results of Incident: The block was lifted relatively shortly thereafter.
Source:
• http://www.dailydot.com/news/russia-blacklist-law-vk-blocked/