Russian IT developers have created so-called “branded browsers” that promise a secure browsing experience, but do they deliver? This article delves into the mechanics of these browsers and their potential threats to user privacy.
What Are Branded Browsers?
A branded browser is typically a modified version of an existing open-source browser (e.g., Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Chromium, or Chrome). The modifications may include changing the logo, renaming menu items, or embedding third-party extensions, search boxes, or advertising spots. A notable example is the Russian government’s Sputnik Browser, built on Firefox and powered by the state-owned Sputnik search engine. It claims to block “unnecessary content,” provide parental controls, and filter out the “most annoying and awful ads.” Additionally, it offers access to official government websites, service telephone numbers, and local maps. A feature called “online scoring” integrates with dnevnik.ru (Russian for “diary”), an online school rating service, allowing parents to monitor their children’s academic performance remotely. Currently, Sputnik Browser is available only on Windows, Android, and iOS, with promises of future synchronization and unified login systems.
Search Filtering and User Behavior
The Sputnik search engine is designed to block pornographic and sensitive content. Alexey Basov, Vice President of Rostelecom, stated: “When typing ‘schoolgirl’ in the search box, we expect to find girls in proper dresses and white aprons, not something different.” However, user behavior tells a different story. On May 29, 2015, the top search terms on Sputnik were “Tits” and “Porn”, while Yandex’s top queries were “odnoklassniki” and “vk.com” (popular Russian social networks). This indicates that most users were testing Sputnik’s censorship rather than using it for legitimate purposes. Consequently, Sputnik’s user count dropped dramatically: from approximately 141,800 users on its launch day (May 22, 2015) to only 23,600 searches by May 27, 2015.
Privacy Risks of Yandex Browser
Yandex, often dubbed the “Russian Google,” raises serious privacy concerns. Its email service includes contextual advertising directly in the mailbox and a standard agreement allowing data disclosure to the government. The Yandex browser, based on Chromium but closed-source, features a “smart address bar” that sends all entered text to Yandex servers for “analysis,” enabling surveillance by default. Sections 1.1.2 and 4 of Yandex’s privacy policy explicitly permit data collection and transfer to authorities “during legal proceedings.” While Yandex offers useful tools for comfortable surfing, it poses significant risks for privacy-conscious users. Foreign journalists, for example, might use it as a compass to explore the “pop” segments of the Russian Internet, but at the cost of exposing their data.
General Issues with Russian Branded Browsers
Numerous similar products exist, developed by webmasters across Russia for both government and private companies, aiming to spy on users and generate profit. These tools often lack strong encryption, leaving user data vulnerable to interception by hackers or upon request. Government software is particularly dangerous because it logs all activity. In contrast, Western IT companies also use cookies for tracking and occasionally cooperate with authorities, but they at least attempt to conceal such practices. In Russia, companies show little concern for transparency.
In conclusion, Russian branded browsers may appear to offer security, but they are essentially surveillance tools that compromise user privacy. In the digital age, choosing a browser requires careful consideration of the trade-off between convenience and privacy.