MOSCOW: Russia plans to suspend certain Virtual Private Networks and protocols which are believed by experts to pose a danger, state news agency RIA reported on Sunday. According to Reuters, demand for VPN services increased after Russian authorities restricted access to some social media platforms after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered forces into Ukraine last year.
A 2017 Russian laws and regulations obliged providers of VPN to cooperate with the Russian officials and also to restrict access to content and information banned by Russia. Several VPN services remain in use across Russia and there has been a public discussion among legislators regarding how much further to go in blocking VPN which still permit access to banned content and information but also a host of other content.
Moscow to Limit VPN Services: Report
RIA cited a reply from the digital ministry to an address by MP Anton Tkachev who had raised several concerns regarding what he added were plans to block all VPNs, a measure he added would increase pressure on Russian people by cutting them off from using several simple domestic appliances.
Read Also: US Conducts Air Strikes in Syria: Report
“On the basis of a decision by the several experts… the filtration of several VPN services and protocols can be carried out on the network of mobile communication for foreign traffic and content which is identified as a threat,” RIA reported. The digital ministry said that avoidance of limitations on certain information and content was considered a threat.
