Russians Use VPNs and Second Phones to Dodge Internet Controls
VPN use rose to 36% this year as Russians switched messengers, phones and workarounds to keep using blocked foreign apps, pollsters said.
- As the Kremlin intensifies internet controls this year, Russians are increasingly employing VPNs and second phones to circumvent state monitoring and access blocked foreign services like WhatsApp and Telegram.
- The Federal Security Service has ordered periodic mobile internet shutdowns, claiming Ukrainian attack drones use the network for navigation, while authorities push 'digital sovereignty' by blocking foreign platforms.
- VPN usage among Russians rose to 36% this year according to the Levada Center, while March saw 9.2 million downloads of popular services, as businesses like Wildberries reported a 10% traffic drop after blocking VPN users.
- Amid falling approval ratings for President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has softened its rhetoric in recent weeks, assuring the public that internet shutdowns are temporary measures.
- Despite government assurances, users remain skeptical of the temporary nature of these restrictions, noting that proposed charges for foreign data usage were postponed until after the upcoming parliamentary election.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Russians Navigate Internet Restrictions Creatively
In a quiet cafe popular for its free Wi-Fi and good coffee, a Russian interior designer logs onto a virtual private network so she can chat with friends abroad using the U.S. messaging service WhatsApp, which is blocked inside Russia. Later, she toggles off the VPN to buy a ticket on the Russian Railways website, which bars anyone using the tools to obscure their location. She then picks up a second phone to check for messages from clients on th…
In a quiet café, known for free Wi-Fi and good coffee, a Russian interior designer connects to a virtual private network to chat with friends abroad using the American messaging app WhatsApp...
Kremlin tightens web controls as Russians rely on VPNs and multiple phones
In Russia’s tightening internet controls, users juggle VPNs, multiple phones and state apps to reach blocked services like WhatsApp and Telegram as outages, restrictions and surveillance grow, pushing adoption of government app MAX
The Independent
The Independent (US)Russians are finding ways to skirt Putin’s digital iron curtain – one phone at a time
Frustration over the curbs – together with rising prices, tax hikes and war fatigue – is widely believed to have contributed to Putin's falling approval ratings
The Russians have resorted to various technical solutions to circumvent state monitoring and restrictions imposed on popular foreign applications, such as Meta's WhatsApp and Telegram messaging app, founded by Russian Pavel Durov. In a quiet café, known for free Wi-Fi and good coffee, an interior designer from Russia connects to a private network...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
