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Two phones and an app: How Russians skirt Putin's digital iron curtain

Since the Kremlin ratcheted up control over the internet this year, Russians have been turning to increasingly convoluted technical solutions to circumvent state monitoring and restrictions on popular foreign apps like Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and the Telegram messenger.

The Economic Times

'Switch to MAX, by any means necessary' — Inside Russia’s great internet crackdown

'Switch to MAX, by any means necessary' — Inside Russia’s great internet crackdown

After censoring the internet for years, the Kremlin is now pushing citizens to the state-controlled MAX by further targeting VPN usage. But the disconnect over the Telegram shutdown could be the needed turning point.

Russia is using DNS and DPI to block YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp while pushing state-controlled MAX as alternative

Russia is using DNS and DPI to block YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp while pushing state-controlled MAX as alternative

Russia has completely blocked access to Telegram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Citizens keep looking for ways around, but VPNs are also being targeted.

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

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Russia’s battle against VPNs is entering a new phase: Here's what to expect in 2026

New laws and sophisticated blocking techniques are making VPN use in Russia increasingly difficult. Here's what changed last year and what to expect over the next 12 months.

Age verification could soon land in Russia – putting already precarious internet freedoms on the line

Russians could soon lose their anonymity on the internet, required to upload ther passport to access a wealth of online content.

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors, and controls its citizens online

Going online in Russia can be frustrating, complicated, and even dangerous.

How Putin is using his powers to block what Russians can see online

Some Russians have used VPNs to counteract the internet restrictions but these apps have been routinely blocked

The Independent UK

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"A new chapter in repressive Internet regulation in Russia" – experts explain how Russia's new law will affect VPN users

"A new chapter in repressive Internet regulation in Russia" – experts explain how Russia's new law will affect VPN users

Using a VPN in Russia has become even riskier, but usage isn't completely banned. Yet, experts are worried about what could come next.

Russia's mobile internet shutdowns due to Ukrainian drones may limit already-stifled net freedom

Russia's mobile internet shutdowns due to Ukrainian drones may limit already-stifled net freedom

Russian and Ukrainian drones use cellphone internet networks to operate, so shutdowns are one way authorities try to counter the attacks.

Shutdowns of cellphone internet links sweep Russia, further limiting already-stifled net freedom

Shutdowns of cellphone internet links sweep Russia, further limiting already-stifled net freedom

In the last two months, dozens of Russian regions have been hit by cellphone connectivity outages

The Independent UK

Google, Apple, and internet restriction – how Big Tech is making censorship "much worse" according to experts

Google, Apple, and internet restriction – how Big Tech is making censorship "much worse" according to experts

While Google is somehow resisting some censorship requests, Apple keeps killing VPN apps upon Russia's orders. Here's all you need to know.

First ever Russia VPN lawsuit filed against Kremlin's censorship machine

First ever Russia VPN lawsuit filed against Kremlin's censorship machine

More than 167 VPNs have already reportedly been blocked in Russia. How could HideMyName's victory in Court affect this trend?

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

The cyber gulag: How Russia tracks, censors and controls its citizens

It's becoming increasingly difficult for Russians to escape government scrutiny

The Independent UK

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