Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that increases restrictions on VPN services in Russia.
VPNs are often used to access blocked websites and protect online privacy. Russia has regulated VPNs for several years, but the new measures give authorities stronger control over internet access and censorship.
The government says the law aims to improve cybersecurity and protect national stability, but peopple say is just another step toward tighter control of information and reduced internet freedom.
Russia is expanding its “sovereign internet” system, which allows closer monitoring and filtering of online traffic. As a result, many VPN services have become slower, blocked, or unreliable.