According to the online newspaper Fontanka.ru (Russian) Russia’s mass media agency Rossvyazokhrankultura believes it has the authority to require Wi-Fi users to register their Wi-Fi devices and obtain a non-transferable permit to use them—and, furthermore, that it can confiscate devices from anyone who doesn’t follow its rules. According to its deputy director Vladimir Karpov, registering a phone or PDA with Wi-Fi capability would take 10 days, and the owner would be the only person licensed to use the device. Registering and operating a Wi-Fi hotspot, whether in a home or business, however, would need to file more extensive documentation and certifications, and networks in Moscow or St. Petersburg would also need approval from Russian security services.
