Russia Moves to Ban VPN Creation Information

In a recent development, it looks like Russia is tightening its grip on the digital world. The country has proposed a ban on scientific and technical information that shows how to create and install VPN services. This news comes from Azernews, highlighting a draft order from the Russian oversight body, Roskomnadzor.

The proposal states that any information which explains the methods of creating VPN services—tools that many use to access websites and online resources that are restricted in Russia—should be recognized as prohibited. It’s a move aimed at controlling access to information.

However, there’s a little ray of hope for some. The draft suggests that information about VPNs meant for secure remote access will be exempt from this ban. This means that government agencies, local governments, and businesses can still use VPN technology to ensure their communications remain private and secure.

The discussion around this proposal will wrap up on August 5, and if it goes through, it will kick in on March 1, 2025. This law is expected to be in effect until September 1, 2029.

Adding to this, just a day earlier, President Vladimir Putin signed another law that targets the sharing of information on how to bypass website blocks. This new law will allow the authorities to add websites promoting such methods to their list of banned resources. While this prohibits advertising how to dodge internet restrictions, it doesn’t actually stop people from using VPN services.