Former SORM Developer Exposes Russian Surveillance System
The story of a programmer: From age 16, Ivan Kirsanov from Zelenodolsk near Kazan attended protest rallies, and by age 21 he was writing code for surveillance systems targeting Russians.
Consensus
- Ivan Kirsanov is a former programmer from Zelenodolsk near Kazan, who participated in protests at age 16.
- Kirsanov began writing code for surveillance systems in Russia at age 21.
- He started his career with a training internship at Sber at age 19.
- He later joined the company MFISoft in Nizhny Novgorod, which offered him 200,000 rubles net, open spaces, breakfasts, and a laptop.
- Kirsanov was told during hiring that the work involved the Yarovaya package.
- He began working at the holding company Citadelle in summer 2023.
- Citadelle is the main producer of surveillance systems for the FSB.
- Citadelle is controlled by the son of the first deputy head of the FSB, Sergey Korolev.
- Kirsanov worked in the department responsible for internet traffic.
- He had to improve code written by engineers who were former FSB employees.
- These engineers had strong training but limited experience due to being restricted from working in regular commercial companies.
- After the start of the war, the FSB developers disappeared, possibly reassigned to another area of work.
Points of divergence
- Kirsanov left Russia in 2025 after realizing 'something terrible' was happening and the war was ongoing. — tg_radiosvoboda
- Kirsanov left Russia in 205, after realizing 'something terrible' was happening and war was ongoing. — tg_svobodnieslova
- Kirsanov left Russia in 25, after realizing 'something terrible' was happening. — tg_istories_media
Coverage (3 sources)
- Without special permission I could observe people. Who makes the Russian surveillance system SORM. The story of one programmer... — Радио Свобода
- Without special permission I could observe people. Who makes the Russian surveillance system SORM. The story of one programmer... — Вёрстка
- Without special permission I could observe people. Who makes the Russian surveillance system SORM. The story of one programmer... — Важные истории