The crackdown on VPN usage in Russia, including blocking providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish, aligns with broader efforts to control the digital space. Initiatives such as the "RuStore" app store and laws for user identity verification reflect Russia's aim to tighten control post-Ukraine invasion and suppress dissent.
Russia's Federal communications watchdog Roskomnadzor has announced a ban on advertising VPN (virtual private network) services starting March 1, 2024. This decision follows Senator Artem Sheikin's announcement in October 2023, stating that Russia intends to block VPN services facilitating access to websites banned in the country. The primary target of this VPN ban is platforms owned by Meta, which the government has labeled an extremist organization.
President Vladimir Putin signed a law in July 2023 mandating the inclusion of websites providing information on bypassing blocked resources in the Unified Register of Prohibited Information, reinforcing the strategy.
Initial reports suggested a complete prohibition of VPN services in Russia, which prompted Ekaterina Mizulina, the head of the Safe Internet League, to initially confirm the likelihood of such a ban. However, Mizulina later clarified her statement, indicating that her words were taken out of context.
Roskomnadzor clarified that the upcoming restrictions specifically target advertising for VPN services, contrary to rumors of an outright ban on VPNs. Since February 2020, Russian law has prohibited tools enabling access to illegal or blocked content, including VPNs that allow unrestricted access to such resources.
The crackdown on VPN usage in Russia, including blocking providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish, aligns with broader efforts to control the digital space.
Initiatives such as the "RuStore" app store and laws for user identity verification reflect Russia's aim to tighten control post-Ukraine invasion and suppress dissent.
Mizulina highlighted the technical challenges in completely blocking VPN services due to the possibility of private, undetectable proxy creation. She also warned about the risks associated with free VPN services compromising user data and privacy.
The significance of VPNs in Russia
Despite the tightening restrictions, VPNs remain crucial for Russians seeking unrestricted access to information and privacy protection. Surfshark VPN emerges as a viable alternative, recommended for its affordability and robust security features. It offers users a lifeline to bypass content restrictions and maintain anonymity online.
As Russia enforces its ban on VPN advertising, the role of VPNs in providing access to unrestricted information becomes increasingly critical amidst government efforts to control online content and access.
