Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev has accused American corporations of using the internet to promote their neocolonial ambitions and control global information. Patrushev made these claims during a meeting with representatives of BRICS and seven other countries, known as “Five friends,” in Johannesburg on Monday.
According to Patrushev, the United States, along with its Western allies, actively intervenes in the internal affairs of countries that do not comply with their will. He highlighted the American “summit for democracy” in March, where they emphasized countering autocracies, protecting human rights, and preventing censorship in the global network. However, they simultaneously use all available resources to instigate protests in countries that they consider to be non-compliant.
Patrushev also criticized Western countries for evading legal obligations in the information field, hiding behind false claims that existing international law is sufficient to regulate digital relations.
To address these issues, Patrushev called for the internationalization of global network management and an increase in the representation and roles of developing states. He stressed the importance of preserving the open-working group as the only universal negotiating mechanism on international information security.
In conclusion, Patrushev urged his colleagues in BRICS and Druzi to work together in creating a universal international legal regime in the digital environment. This regime should be based on the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs.