Several VPN applications were removed from the Russian App Store.
In Russia< /strong> Authorities are stepping up blocking of VPN services to limit Russians' access to independent and international media and make it easier for intelligence services to spy on citizens.
This is stated in the daily report of the British Ministry of Defense.
Russian media reported that since July 4, at the request of Roskomnadzor, several VPN applications have been removed from the Russian App Store due to allegedly illegal content in Russia. The authority received the right to block access to VPN services without going to court in March 2024.
“Such a step almost certainly aims to limit Russian citizens’ access to independent Russian and international media, as well as to make it easier for intelligence services to spy on Russian citizens,” intelligence officials say.
In addition, Russian media reported that the Russian FSB is demanding that telecom operators disable VoIP Internet telephony in order to supposedly reduce the number of fraud cases.
“In fact, most likely, it is aimed at expanding the capabilities of the Russian authorities to monitor and limit communications of private citizens and legal entities,” experts say.
The brief from the British Ministry of Defense notes that such measures are in line with Russia's efforts to control the domestic information space and limit citizens' access to information that differs from the official agenda.
The department also recalled that the Kremlin has been taking these steps for a long time. In particular, in 2019, Russia conducted training on temporarily cutting off Russians' access to the Internet and in the same year adopted a law on a “sovereign Internet”.
However, these Moscow efforts have intensified significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Most independent media were closed or moved abroad, and restrictions were also introduced on citizens' access to foreign media.
“The effect of the restrictions remains to be seen as educated Russians continue to find inventive ways to circumvent these measures,” British intelligence officials say.
Recall, according to Reuters, Moldova can expel all Russian diplomats.
Related topics:
More news
