The Finnish company Nokia announced that it was leaving the Russian market in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. However, she did not talk about what she leaves. It is hardware and software that connects the government's most powerful digital surveillance tool to the nation's largest telecommunications network..

This is the so-called System of Investigative Activity, or SORM. It was used to track supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.. It is also likely that it is being used now, when the president of the aggressor country, Vladimir Putin, suppresses and suppresses anti-war voices inside Russia.

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The New York Times, citing documents, writes that for five years, Nokia provided equipment and services that connected SORM with Russia's largest telecommunications provider, MTS..

Although Nokia does not manufacture technology for intercepting messages, the documents describe how it worked with Russian state-owned companies to plan, optimize and troubleshoot the connection of the SORM system to the MTS network.. The FSB uses this system to listen in on telephone conversations, intercept email and text messages, and monitor other Internet communications..

The documents date back to 2008-2017 and show that Nokia knew it was launching a surveillance system.. At the same time, this work was important because it allowed her to build a business in Russia, which brought her millions of annual income..

Andrey Soldatov, an expert on Russian intelligence and digital surveillance, who read some Nokia documents at the request of The Times, said that without the company's participation in SORM, "

Nokia, which did not dispute the authenticity of the documents, said that under Russian law it was required to manufacture products that would allow the Russian telecom operator to connect to the SORM system..

Other countries are making similar demands, the company said, and it must decide whether to help the internet work or go.. Nokia also stated that it does not manufacture, install or service SORM equipment..

The company said it complies with international standards that are used by many major network equipment vendors that cover government surveillance.. She also urged governments to set clearer export rules on where technology can be sold and said she "

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MTS has not commented on this information..