Russian Government Plans to Cut Off Access to VPNs Considered a Threat

JAKARTA - The Russian news agency, RIA, reported that the Russian Government plans to block a number of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) on Monday, November 13. In addition, certain protocols that an expert commission considers to be a threat will also be restricted.

This step was taken following an increase in demand for VPN services in Russia, which increased after the Russian government restricted access to a number of Western social media after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022.

Since a 2017 Russian law requiring VPN technology providers to cooperate with Russian authorities and restrict access to content banned by Russia or face the threat of blocking, many VPN services have remained widely used in Russia.

There is a public debate among legislators about how far blocking VPN services should go, given that some still allow access to prohibited information, but also other information.

RIA reported that Russia's Digital Ministry responded to concerns raised by lawmaker Anton Tkachev, who stated there were plans to block all VPNs.

Tkachev argued that the move would increase pressure on Russian society by cutting off their access to some simple household devices.

"Based on the decision of the expert commission, filtration of some VPN services and VPN protocols can be carried out on mobile communications networks for foreign traffic identified as a threat," said a quote from the Ministry of Digital statement as reported by RIA. The Ministry considers that circumventing restrictions on certain information is considered a threat.