Russian sources have announced that a ban on VPN services will go into effect on March 1st. The ban encompasses advertisements and websites that provide information about how to bypass blocked resources in Russia and occupied territories of Ukraine. This is just the latest step in a years-long campaign to regulate access to information, isolate internet users within Russia, and increase surveillance capabilities by the authorities. Restricting VPNs could be seen as reducing one of the last tools Russian citizens have to access the outside world and hear opinions, news, and perspectives beyond the narrow scope of approved topics presented by state media.

Read more “The Digital Iron Curtain. Russia Prepares for a Total Ban on VPNs.”