Typewriters to stop Russian computer leaks

– … Western newspapers say Russia will use typewriters to stop computer leaks and keep its secrets safe. Russian newspapers say this is untrue. The BBC said Russia's intelligence service (FSO) bought the typewriters because of WikiLeaks and leaks by former U.S. intelligence worker Edward Snowden. The FSO said these scandals, plus reports that people spied on Russia's Prime Minister in London, means it will use more "paper documents".

The Kremlin said the typewriters cost $14,800. It ordered them over a year ago. The FSO told RT News that it has always used typewriters and that it was time to change them because the old ones were out of date. It added it was not because of WikiLeaks or Mr Snowden. An official said: "It's not something unusual.…All the special services use them." A post on RT's website said: "A $5 padlock is often [better] than a $24,000 surveillance system".