On March 1, Russia enacted a law aimed at restricting the spread of VPN services. This change follows prior reporting from Roskomnadzor, the federal communications watchdog. The move is part of a broader effort to curb access to tools that help users bypass content blocks and information controls online.
According to the ministry, Russia has prohibited the creation of new methods to block access to illegal content since February 2020. Roskomnadzor further explained that starting March 1, 2024, a rule will tighten limits on materials that promote or enable the use of VPN tools. This aligns with ongoing government measures to regulate online privacy tools and control information flows within the country.
Earlier, Ekaterina Mizulina, leader of the Safe Internet League, spoke at a meeting with students at school No. 1 in Yekaterinburg. She indicated that VPN services could face blocking measures in Russia in March 2024, reflecting a policy stance that favors restricting access to these technologies in certain circumstances.
In subsequent remarks, Mizulina clarified that a complete blocking of VPN services is not feasible. She noted that the current focus is on blocking large resources rather than attempting to suppress every VPN operation entirely, citing technical and practical limitations that would hinder a full nationwide shutdown.
As March 1 approaches, questions among Russians center on what the new restrictions will mean for VPN availability and everyday online activities. Analysts suggest that while some big VPN platforms may be targeted, the practical impact will likely concern broader access to VPN-related content and services rather than a total elimination of VPN use across the country.