Russia Riles Up Internet by Blocking Porn Sites

Anyone upset about Russia's recent blocking of 11 internet pornography sites should try to "meet someone in real life," according to the agency behind the ban. Roskomnadzor has the power to block websites the Russian government doesn't want its people to see, and the agency used that power Tuesday to block access to YouPorn and Pornhub—the world's most popular porn sites—among others, the Independent reports. The sites were accused of "spreading information that is detrimental to the development of children," according to Newsweek.

The ban presumably meant some Russian internet users found themselves with extra free time, which they used to complain about the ban online, the BBC reports. The lead singer of Pussy Riot called the blocking of Pornhub a "blow below the belt," while Pornhub itself tried to tempt Roskomnadzor into removing the ban by offering the agency a Pornhub Premium account. Some Russians even took to asking the US for "pornographic asylum." But Roskomnadzor was less than sympathetic, suggesting on Twitter that anyone feeling put out after losing access to their favorite porn sites "could try and meet someone in real life" instead. A Russian court will rule on whether the ban on Pornhub and YouPorn remains in place at some point in the future, the Moscow Times reports. (More internet pornography stories.)