A new study, however, now raises doubts about to what extent the Internet plays a role in fostering democracy. In fact, it may make some people more equal than others.

To voice discontent online, groups first need access to the Internet, but too often, that is precisely what they lack, according to the report which was published by the academic journal Science. Those findings could force Western governments and nongovernmental organizations engaged in pro-democracy initiatives to rethink how they spread their message.

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Comparing the accessibility of Internet in certain regions and taking into account the existence of minority communities, the authors found "a strong and persistent political bias in the allocation of Internet coverage across ethnic groups worldwide ... an effect that cannot be explained by economic or geographic factors."

Around 500 minority groups worldwide were included in the study, with consistent findings of what the authors called "digital discrimination." The 10 worst-affected minorities mostly come from Russia and Malaysia, said researcher Nils B. Weidmann.

One of the most well known examples are the Chechens whose conflict with the Russians has lasted for centuries. A 2015 poll among Russians showed that the vast majority supported "shutting off the Internet" in cases of emergency.

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But in reality, that is already happening in Dagestan and Chechnya. Chechens have an Internet penetration that is only 0.5 percent of the penetration level of ethnic Russians and other included groups, for instance. Caucasus-based Avars and Dargins face similar discrimination.

Chechens from the North Caucasus have frequently been accused of terrorism by Moscow. Islamist fighters were also involved in a conflict in neighboring Dagestan. Moscow insists that the threat level remains high; as many Chechen fighters have gone to Syria to join groups such as the Islamic State and might eventually return.

Ahead of the Sochi Olympic Winter Games 2014, Chechen Islamist leader Doku Umarov released a statement threatening attacks during the games: "They plan to hold the Olympics on the bones of our ancestors, on the bones of many, many Muslims buried on our land by the Black Sea. As mujahideen we are required not to permit that, using any methods that Allah allows us."

But Russian anti-terrorism operations, targeting Umarov and his followers, have impacted innocent Chechens as well. Critics have alleged that Russian operatives abducted family members of fighters in an effort to demoralize militant groups. Houses of potential suspects have been burned down by authorities.

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That example shows the significance of the research conducted by Weidmann and his colleagues: NGOs that receive foreign funding and engage in political activities are required by law to register as "foreign agents." Fearing a governmental crackdown, some civil society organizations find it increasingly difficult to advocate for Chechens or other minorities in Russia.

But contrary to popular belief, reaching out to those minorities online as an alternative would also be deemed to fail, researchers say.