Russians Losing Internet Privacy
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 07/26/2017 11:28 AM
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Russian citizens are losing privacy and internet freedom under a new law passed by the Russian senate.
The Russian Federation Council passed a new law that now goes to President Vladimir Putin that will ban the use of virtual private networks, the Tor network, anonymous mobile messaging services and internet proxy services in general.
Privacy-advocates staged protest throughout Moscow over the weekend.
Part of the legislation will require ISP's to block users from accessing websites that allow the use of VPN services. Legislators believe it will cut down on the spread of terrorist-related materials. However, privacy-advocates argue that it will enforce censorship and limit dissent and political opposition.
Recently, Russia blocked such popular websites such as LinkedIn and Wikipedia. They have created, in their place, a news service called Sputnik that is known to publish false news.
NordVPN, a privacy-focused VPN provider, stated:
"NordVPN stands for freedom of speech and free access to the internet, and we don’t agree with internet censorship by any government,” NordVPN CMO Marty Kamden stated. “Recent moves by China and Russia to outlaw VPNs is indeed very worrying, as VPNs represent the only window to the world in countries with authoritarian governments, and can save lives of political activists by providing them with anonymity.”
If signed by Putin, the legislation will take effect on January 1st, 2018.
Source: Info Security
The Russian Federation Council passed a new law that now goes to President Vladimir Putin that will ban the use of virtual private networks, the Tor network, anonymous mobile messaging services and internet proxy services in general.Privacy-advocates staged protest throughout Moscow over the weekend.
Part of the legislation will require ISP's to block users from accessing websites that allow the use of VPN services. Legislators believe it will cut down on the spread of terrorist-related materials. However, privacy-advocates argue that it will enforce censorship and limit dissent and political opposition.
Recently, Russia blocked such popular websites such as LinkedIn and Wikipedia. They have created, in their place, a news service called Sputnik that is known to publish false news.
NordVPN, a privacy-focused VPN provider, stated:
"NordVPN stands for freedom of speech and free access to the internet, and we don’t agree with internet censorship by any government,” NordVPN CMO Marty Kamden stated. “Recent moves by China and Russia to outlaw VPNs is indeed very worrying, as VPNs represent the only window to the world in countries with authoritarian governments, and can save lives of political activists by providing them with anonymity.”
If signed by Putin, the legislation will take effect on January 1st, 2018.
Source: Info Security
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