Russia's Digital Ruble Surveillance Machine: The Trojan Horse of Financial Control

The Bank of Russia has unleashed their financial surveillance system disguised as "anti-fraud protection" ahead of their digital ruble launch. I watched them roll this out on February 23, based on a Central Bank order issued earlier this year. It's nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to monitor and control everyday Russians.

Some politician named Gavrilov is selling this as "protection" for digital ruble transactions. What a joke! They'll freeze your money for two days if they simply "suspect" fraud. During this time, you'll get a notification demanding you approve the transaction again. If you can't respond? Too bad - transaction cancelled.

They claim this is about "safety" but it's obviously about control. The system they launched last July automatically flags what they deem "suspicious" transactions. But who defines suspicious? The same government that wants to track every kopek you spend!

Let's be honest - this "cooling-off period" isn't for our benefit. It's to give them time to scrutinize our financial activities. The worst part? They're forcing this system into budgetary operations through tests with the Treasury and Finance Ministry.

Commercial banks and regular folks are rightfully pushing back. Some users claim the CBDC will allow the government to literally burn unused tokens in people's wallets! Others fear the government will force pensioners and benefit recipients to use the digital ruble - making their financial lives completely transparent to the state.

Of course the Central Bank denies these allegations, claiming CBDC use will be "completely voluntary." Yeah right! Just like those "voluntary" confessions in Russian police stations. The digital ruble isn't about modernization - it's about financial surveillance in a country already struggling with freedom.

This is what happens when governments create digital currencies - they build back doors for control while selling it as "protection." I'm watching this nightmare unfold, and I guarantee other countries are taking notes.