Members of the youth organization of the European People’s Party of Moldova (PPEM) on March 31 mounted a protest in front of the Parliament Building, expressing their opposition to the adoption of a bill that institutes Internet censorship, according to them, IPN reports.

The bill, which was approved by the Government, envisions the tracing and collection of the data transmitted through information technology with the declared goal of combating child pornography and banking fraud and to ensure the state’s security. After the bill was approved, a number of Internet users stated that the draft law actually institutes Internet censorship and that their right to private life will be thus violated.

Ion Ranga, chairman of the youth organization of the PPEM, said that the state institutions not always do their job, while the information controlled by these is used not only to ensure security, but also in favor of particular persons or parties. “We launched an online petition to collect signatures and to demand that this initiative should not be adopted. If we are not heard, we will stage protests that will not be as silent as the current one,” he stated.

On March 30, the Cabinet approved a series of legislative amendments and supplements aimed at ensuring information security and combating cybercrimes and child pornography. The bill was criticized by experts and representatives of civil society, who said that this allows the investigation bodies to block websites, to verify personal email messages and SMSes and to read messages transmitted through online applications.