Russia's attempt to rein in illicit market for leaked data backfires

4 months ago

Russia's probiv market is an illicit ecosystem for leaked personal data, exploited by journalists, police, and criminals.
The market thrives on corrupt officials selling access to restricted databases, offering details like passport numbers and police records for as little as $10.
Probiv has been used in high-profile cases, including investigations into Alexei Navalny's poisoning, but also by police to track activists.
The Kremlin initially tolerated probiv but now views it as a threat due to scams and Ukrainian intelligence exploiting data leaks.
Recent laws impose harsh penalties for data leaks, and security services have cracked down on probiv operators, leading some to relocate abroad.
Ukrainian hackers have joined the fray, breaching Russian systems and leaking data, making private Russian data more accessible than ever.

Hasty Briefsbeta