Russia is banning the advertising of VPN (virtual private network) services starting March 1, 2024, according to the nation’s Federal communications watchdog Roskomnadzor.
In Oct. 2023, Senator Artem Sheikin announced — then starting from March 1, 2024 — Russia plans to block VPN services that facilitate access to websites banned in the country. The reason for this VPN ban, as Sheikin had pointed out, is primarily to block access to platforms owned by Meta, which the government has labeled an extremist organization.
This strategy is further emphasized by a law signed by President Vladimir Putin in July 2023, mandating the inclusion of websites that provide information on bypassing blocked resources in the Unified Register of Prohibited Information.
This development comes in response to earlier reports on Monday suggesting a complete prohibition of VPN services in the country. In response to this, Ekaterina Mizulina, the head of the Safe Internet League, initially indicated in a speech to high school students: “Yes… that’s most likely the case,” but media outlets later reported that she noted that her statement was taken out of context.
A Roskomnadzor source clarified the mixup and told Russian government-owned news agency TASS on Monday: “Access to files promoting such tools [VPNs] will be restricted starting March 1, 2024.”
Free VPNs Are a Portal Into Hell: Mizulina
Contrary to widespread reports of an outright ban on VPN (virtual private network) services, Roskomnadzor emphasized that the upcoming restrictions specifically target advertising for VPN services.
Since February 2020, Russian law has prohibited tools enabling access to illegal or blocked content, categorizing VPNs under this if they allow access to such resources without restrictions.
Russia’s crackdown on VPN usage, including the blocking of providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish by Roskomnadzor, is part of broader efforts to control the digital space. The mandate for the “RuStore” app store on devices and laws for user identity verification align with the nation’s aim to suppress dissent and tighten its grip post-Ukraine invasion.
Initiatives like “Sovereign RuNet” further highlight Russia’s push towards digital sovereignty and a more isolated and regulated internet environment.
While Mizulina clarified earlier misinterpretations of her statements regarding the ban, she also discussed the technical challenges in completely blocking VPN services due to the possibility of private, undetectable proxy creation. Mizulina also highlighted the risks associated with free VPN services, which can compromise user data and privacy.
“VPNs, especially those that are free, they’re a total portal into hell … It’s a big black hole in your device,” she said in a speech, according to The Moscow Times on Monday.
“From the point of view of your personal safety, and your gadget, these applications absolutely cannot be used. This is the key problem, and it is precisely because of this that the state takes such measures,” she added, when roughly translated from Russian to English.
Navigating Restrictions: The Role of VPNs in Russia
Despite the tightening grip on internet freedom, VPNs remain a crucial tool for Russians seeking unrestricted access to information and privacy protection.
With major VPN providers like NordVPN pushed away and common payment services under sanctions, alternatives like Surfshark VPN emerge as viable options.
Surfshark, recommended for its affordability and robust security and privacy features, offers a lifeline for users needing to bypass content restrictions and maintain anonymity online.
Surfshark makes it simple to subscribe to their VPN service with an alternative payment method. Follow the steps in our guide to which VPNs work in Russia for Russia-specific instructions.
As Russia enforces its ban on VPN advertising, the landscape of internet freedom and privacy in the country continues to evolve. With the government’s efforts to control online content and access, the role of VPNs in providing a gateway to unrestricted information becomes increasingly critical.
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