Friday’s opening ceremony kicked off the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia amid plenty of controversy. The media has been having a field day with numerous reports of accommodation problems, including unfinished buildings, brown water, and stray dogs, so much so that the Twitter account #SochiProblems already has over 330,000 followers. But that’s not all. Visitors to Sochi are also being warned about threats to security and privacy.
Fears of Terrorism at Sochi Olympics
Sochi is located on the Black Sea in southern Russia, close to the Georgia border, in a troubled area that has long been a source of tension and violence. Most recently, 34 people were killed in December in two bombings a day apart in the city of Volgograd, approximately 600 miles from Sochi. Fears of terrorism at the games have only been fueled by warnings about the seemingly lax attitude towards liquids at airports, as the U.S. warns that explosives might be smuggled on board in toothpaste tubes.
In response to these criticisms, Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak has said he believes security at Sochi is no worse than in other big cities like New York or London. In addition, Sochi’s location makes it difficult to access, with only one railroad line, one airport, and one open road currently leading into it. All paths of entry are being monitored, and thousands of soldiers are keeping watch in the nearby Caucasus mountains. The U.S. has not reported any uncovered terrorist plot or threat.
No Expectation of Privacy at Sochi
Fearing a repeat of last year’s terrorist attacks, Russia has stepped up its intelligence gathering effort in order to prevent violence from erupting. A warning from the U.S. State Department stated that visitors to the Sochi games should have no expectations of privacy when it comes to phone calls, text messages, emails, and other forms of electronic communication. The Russian System for Operational-Investigative Activities (known as SORM) can and does lawfully monitor, record, and analyze communications at will, as well as gather information on a user’s data and location.
If visitors to Sochi are concerned about having valuable data or communications intercepted, they can avoid using public data networks, remove batteries from devices to prevent tracking, and be judicious with communication. They can also choose to leave electronic devices at home if possible, and to be suspicious of any freebie items like thumb drives, which may contain malware.
U.S. State Department Tells Citizens to Be Cautious
The U.S. State Department updated the Travel Alert on the same day as the opening ceremony, advising U.S. citizens traveling to Russia to attend the Olympics to be “attentive” at all times. They also remind travelers that Russian authorities can stop anybody at any time and request identity and travel documents, so be prepared.
U.S. citizens are subject to Russian law when visiting the country, some of which are very different from those at home. The U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs highlights Russian laws that American citizens should be aware of, such as:
- Laws regarding LGBT individuals. A law passed last June makes “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” illegal. Because the wording of the law is so vague, LGBT individuals should take extra care. Breaking the law can lead to fines, jail time, and deportation.
- Increased prosecution for pirated and counterfeit goods.
- Strict rules on what kinds of medicine can come into Russia, including prescription and OTC drugs.
Citizens of the U.S. can contact the American embassy or consulate in Russia if they face trouble, but they need to be aware and respectful of the laws in the country they visit.
