Russia reportedly plans to block VPN services from March 2024

Russia, which began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has blocked access to SNS such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, as well as various foreign websites, but some citizens are using Virtual Private Networks . I continue to access using (VPN) . However, a senator from Russia's ruling party, United Russia , announced that Russian authorities plan to block VPNs starting March 1, 2024.

Russia plans to try to block VPN services in 2024 - senator | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-plans-try-block-vpn-services-2024-senator-2023-10-03/

Russia To Try Block VPN Access In 2024 | Silicon UK Tech News
https://www.silicon.co.uk/e-regulation/censorship/russia-to-try-block-vpn-access-in-2024-lawmaker-claims-532411

Immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities restricted access to social media companies , but Russian citizens who want to use foreign social media and websites continue to use VPNs to access them. It was reported that the average demand for the project increased by 2692% compared to before the start of the project.

Demand for VPN in Russia has increased by 2692% compared to before the invasion of Ukraine - GIGAZINE

In March 2023,a bill was enacted prohibiting government agencies from using foreign-made messaging apps, and in August 2023, a law was announced to prohibit government-related agencies from using foreign-made email systems such as Gmail. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that prohibits users from registering on the platform and from giving advice on how to circumvent regulations such as VPNs.

President Putin signs a Russian law that stipulates that ``identity verification is required when registering for internet services and use of Gmail etc. is prohibited'' and ``Advice on VPNs is illegal'' - GIGAZINE

Meanwhile, on October 3, 2023, United Russia senator Artem Shaykin said, ``From March 1, 2024, an order will come into force to block VPN services that provide access to sites prohibited in Russia.'' It will be done,” he said. This order was issued by the Federal Supervisory Service for Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor), which is responsible for monitoring the Internet in Russia.

According to Shaykin, a particular focus of the plan is to block access to the Meta platform, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. 'I would like to emphasize the particular importance of restricting citizens' access to Meta products that have been identified as extremist organizations,' Shaykin said in a statement.

Russian authorities claim that Meta is considered dangerous because ``posts that encourage and induce acts of violence against Russians are being disseminated.'' In fact, immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, Meta temporarily allowed violent speech in 12 countries including Ukraine and Poland. A Meta spokesperson said that permission for violent speech was limited to those related to Russia's military invasion, and that posts that called for violence against Russian civilians were removed.

In response to Meta's response, in March 2022, a Russian district court recognized Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, as an 'extremist.' Also, in October 2022, Russia's financial supervisory authority, the Financial Surveillance Service of the Russian Federation, added Meta to its list of 'terrorists and extremists.'