Russia plans to block certain Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and protocols which are deemed by a commission of experts to pose a threat, the RIA state news agency reported, citing correspondence from the Digital Ministry. Demand for VPN services soared after Russia restricted access to some Western social media after President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Many VPN services remain widely in use throughout Russia and there has been public debate among lawmakers about how much further to go in blocking VPN services which allow access to banned information but also a host of other information.
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