Russian law restricting VPN use goes into force

A law that allows Russia to block VPN services came into force on Wednesday amid uncertainty over exactly how it will be implemented.

The legislation, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, requires all VPN providers to register with the authorities and restrict access to websites that are banned in Russia. Currently, VPN services can be used to access sites that have been taken offline under Russian law.

If VPN providers — or other services allowing users to remain anonymous — fail to comply with the new law they could be banned in Russia.

However, it is unclear whether banning VPN providers would just involve their websites being blocked, or whether existing service users would be affected.

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s internet watchdog, insisted in a statement on Thursday that the new law did not amount to a ban on VPN services.

Under Russian law, hundreds of websites are banned. These include social networking site LinkedIn, which was shut down because it refused to store data on Russian servers, as well as news websites and blogs critical of the Kremlin closed down with powers granted under anti-extremist legislation.

The law on VPN services is part of package of new internet regulations in Russia, which will be phased in this year and next year.

From January 2018, messaging apps will be required to authorise users by their phone number and, from1 June 2018, your chat, telephone and text message logs must be stored by service providers (mobile and internet networks) for up to three years.