MOSCOW, March ⁠31 (Reuters) - Russia is going to further clamp down Virtual Private ⁠Networks (VPNs), which are used by millions of Russians to ‌get around internet controls and censorship, Russia's digital minister said. In what has been cast by diplomats as Russia's "great crackdown", the authorities have repeatedly blocked mobile internet and ​jammed major messenger services while giving sweeping ⁠powers to cut off mass ⁠communications. But in recent ​months, the state has gone much further: it blocked WhatsApp, has slowed down Telegram and has repeatedly jammed mobile internet in Moscow and other ⁠cities and regions. The Kremlin says foreign platforms have failed to abide by the law and that mobile internet restrictions are necessary to counter mass Ukrainian drone strikes. By mid-January, Russia had blocked more than ​400 VPNs, 70% more than late last ⁠year, according to the Kommersant newspaper.

Source: The Star March 31, 2026 08:38 UTC