Russian ban on VPNs possible

The provision and use of virtual private networks is at present not unlawful in Russia, but that could be about to change, according to local media reports…and in the meantime telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor has continued to pressure VPN service providers to do its work by restricting users from accessing its massive blacklist, which includes a significant number of online gambling domains.

In this it has apparently encountered both cooperation and defiance, but the regulator’s hand will soon be strengthened by new amendments currently being drafted to the Law on Information and the Code of Administrative Offences.

These will reportedly compel VPN and Internet Service Providers, along with search engines, to prevent users from accessing Roskomnadzor’s black listed domains on pain of heavy (for Russia) fines.

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