Russian authorities recently implemented new measures to restrict digital communications and control the national information environment. These actions included the removal of several virtual private network (VPN) apps from the Russian version of the App Store at the request of Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulator. In addition, the Federal Security Service (FSB) demanded that Russian telecom operators stop providing voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony services, citing fraud prevention as the reason for this move.
These measures are part of a broader strategy by the Russian government to limit access to independent and foreign media, while also enhancing government surveillance. This strategy has become more pronounced since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to the closure of independent media outlets and tighter controls on foreign media access.
Roskomnadzor justified the removal of VPN apps by claiming that the apps contained “content that is illegal in Russia,” suggesting that the ban was intended to restrict citizens’ access to independent Russian and international media. The move also simplifies the security services’ ability to monitor Russian citizens. The FSB’s decision to halt VoIP telephony services, on the other hand, was justified on the basis of fraud prevention, although it is likely aimed at increasing government surveillance of private citizens and corporate entities.
These actions align with Russia’s ongoing efforts to control the domestic information environment and limit access to information that does not align with government narratives. The government has intensified these efforts since the invasion of Ukraine, with most independent media outlets either closed or relocated abroad, and increased restrictions on citizens’ ability to access foreign media. However, urban Russians have been finding ways to circumvent these restrictions.
Overall, these recent measures indicate a tightening of control over digital communications and information in Russia, with implications for freedom of expression and access to diverse sources of information. The government’s actions are reflective of broader censorship trends, raising concerns about the impact on media freedom and citizens’ rights to access information.
Article Source
https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/07/06/uk-intel-russian-authorities-target-vpn-apps-and-voip-services-in-latest-censorship-move/
