Russian programmers outsmart censors in digital cat and mouse game

admin 2024年5月17日

Beginner

science & technology, science & technology - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Are you aware that some countries restrict internet access for their citizens?
Do you know what a VPN is used for?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

battle /BAT-l/

[noun] – a conflict or struggle
The battle for environmental preservation is gaining momentum as activists around the world push for stricter regulations to protect natural habitats.

block /blok/

[verb] – to prevent access or stop something from being available
The school’s firewall blocks access to certain websites deemed inappropriate for students.

advertisement /ad-ver-TAHYZ-muhnt/

[noun] – any form of promotional content used to market or promote a product, service, or event
The company launched a series of digital advertisements on social media platforms to attract younger consumers.

shut down /SHUHT-DOWN/

[phrasal verb] – to close or terminate the operation of something
Due to maintenance issues, the entire network was shut down overnight to allow for repairs.

flow /floh/

[verb] – to move or be transmitted smoothly and continuously
The conversation flowed effortlessly between the two friends as they caught up over coffee.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

In Russia, there is a growing battle for internet freedom. Antony Rudkovsky, a young programmer from Nizhny Novgorod, started making Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as a teenager to listen to international music. His passion turned him into an award-winning developer. At 18, he won a prize for making a VPN that bypassed Russian censorship, showing the fight between programmers and the government over controlling information.

The Russian government blocks foreign media and social platforms through Roskomnadzor, its media watchdog, citing national security. In response, more people use VPNs, especially after Russia’s actions in Ukraine, seeking unfiltered news. The government fights back by banning VPN advertisements and trying harder to shut down these digital pathways. Still, developers share knowledge globally and improve methods to stay ahead of censorship. This battle reflects tech communities’ determination to keep information flowing despite government restrictions.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Antony Rudkovsky started making Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to watch Russian movies.
The Russian government supports the use of VPNs to access foreign media.
The article mentions that developers are finding ways to enhance their methods to stay ahead of censorship efforts.
Antony Rudkovsky won an award for developing a VPN that complied with Russian censorship laws.
Developers are not affected by the government’s attempts to restrict internet access.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

battle

block

shut down

flow

During times of political unrest, some governments may __________ social media platforms to control the spread of information.
She noticed the banner __________ at the top of her favorite news website, advertising a new line of eco-friendly products.
The city had to __________ several roads temporarily due to the unexpected parade.
Ideas __________ freely during the brainstorming session, leading to innovative solutions to the problem.
There is a constant __________ for privacy in the digital age, with individuals and privacy advocates challenging the data collection practices of large corporations.