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Western newspapers are reporting that Russia is to start using typewriters to stop computer leaks. However, Russian newspapers say this is not true. Western media says the Kremlin wants to keep its secrets secret by using old-fashioned machines. The BBC wrote that Russia's intelligence service (FSO) bought typewriters because of leak of information on WikiLeaks and recent leaks by former U.S. intelligence worker Edward Snowden. FSO reportedly told Russian press that these scandals, plus reports about Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev being listened in on at G20 summit in London, means it has "decided to expand practice of creating paper documents”.

Russian government department said Kremlin bought 20 electric typewriters for around $14,800. FSO told reporters that: “This purchase has been planned for more than year now.” It also said order has nothing to do with WikiLeaks or Edward Snowden. FSO official told Russia's RT news agency that FSO has always used typewriters. He said that it was simply time to buy new ones because old equipment was out of date. He said: "It’s not something unusual.… time came to change them. All special services use them, including Ministry of Defense.” reader of RT website suggested: " $5 padlock is often more effective than $24,000 surveillance system."