Belarus restricts internet access during All-Belarusian People’s Assembly

December 18, Pozirk. Belarusian authorities blocked access to a range of websites from abroad on December 18–19, when Minsk hosts a major gathering of officials known as the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.

Access is restricted to websites hosted on certain virtual hosting platforms, including Khosting Saitov, WordPress hosting, and Bitrix hosting (Mini and Start plans), HostFly.by reported, citing a directive from the Operations and Analysis Center.

Access to these websites is not restricted within Belarus.

According to Pozirk’s analysis, the blocking is selective. Websites affected included those of the National Press Center, the House of Press press office, the ONT television channel and Belarusian Radio’s First Channel. These sites remain accessible from within Belarus and from abroad when using a VPN.

The restrictions appear to have been introduced over fears of cyberattacks, as cyber activists could post opposition content on government websites. Authorities also switched off electronic advertising billboards in cities.

Similar restrictions were imposed in January during what authorities described as the “presidential election.”

During the 2020 presidential election, the government blocked internet access almost completely for three days.