The Dagestani official stated the ineffectiveness of social media blocks.

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The acting deputy head of the administration of the head and government of Dagestan, Marat Luguyev, spoke about the ineffectiveness of the policy of banning and blocking social networks.

Luguyev published a statement on the need to recognize the policy of blocking social networks as ineffective on his Telegram channel on July 5.

Luguyev listed five points on why he considers the bans ineffective. According to him, "a huge number of Russians continue to use the banned network," however, he did not specify which network he was referring to specifically.

Luguyev also believes that the state is losing the opportunity to communicate openly with this audience, but the audience has not disappeared. The resulting information vacuum is being filled by other actors. He also added that the business around VPN services has flourished: "The state has to constantly increase technical and financial resources to maintain the effectiveness of the restrictions."

According to Luguyev, "the enemy broadcasts in the banned network with millions of views and thousands of reposts." "Where do we respond? In Makhachkala? For whom? For other officials? With a repost from whom? From the press service of the district administration?" the official questions.

"We need to admit that 'yes, guys, it turned out to be ineffective' and urgently restructure," Luguyev urged in his publication, which as of 02:00 Moscow time today, July 6, has received more than 250 approvals.

* the activities of the company Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.