# Russia Wants To Censor Americans. Why Are U.S. Tech Companies Helping?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/russia-wants-to-censor-americans-why-are-u-s-tech-companies-helping/
- Published: 2026-11-04T11:00:42+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T01:13:15+00:00
- Original publisher: Reason (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://reason.com/2026/11/04/russia-wants-to-censor-americans-why-are-u-s-tech-companies-helping/
- Topics: Americas, Europe, Politics, World

## Key points

- Russia’s censorship demand reached a US nonprofit through WP Engine.
- The proposed GRANITE Act would shield firms that reject foreign orders.
- Ofcom sent US companies at least 197 notices in just over a year.

## Summary

Russia’s censorship agency asked US web host WP Engine to block Russians from accessing the Human Rights Foundation’s Tyranny Tracker. WP Engine passed on the demand and threatened to block the site itself if the foundation did not comply, raising concerns about US companies helping foreign governments restrict speech.

A proposed bill, the GRANITE Act, would clarify that US courts will not enforce foreign censorship orders and let people sue foreign censors seeking to restrict Americans’ protected speech. The article says Ofcom sent at least 197 notices to US companies between February 2025 and April 2026. The bill would not ban companies from complying with foreign demands, but aims to protect those that refuse.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.