Russia has banned VPNs capable of circumventing website blocking, and will require users of chat apps to have a phone number associated with their accounts:
Vladimir Putin has banned virtual private networks (VPNs) and Tor in a crackdown on apps that allow access to websites prohibited in Russia. The law, signed by Mr Putin, was passed by Russia's parliament last week and will now come into force on 1 November. A second law to ban anonymous use of online messaging services will take effect on 1 January next year.
It would make it easier for the state to snoop on citizens' browsing habits, one internet security expert suggested.
The laws signed by Mr Putin are meant only to block access to "unlawful content" and not target law-abiding web users, the head of the lower house of parliament said, according to the RIA news agency.
One feature of the second law is the provision to require internet operators to restrict users' access if they are found to be distributing illegal content.
Also at Engadget, ZDNet, RT, TechCrunch, and CNET.
Related: Apple Capitulates, Removes Unlicensed VPN Apps From China App Store
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 31 2017, @10:22PM (1 child)
Not really true.
All we need is FaceGooZon to realise that national border breaks are strongly against their interests, and they'll support it out of the goodness of their twisted little hearts - or sheer avarice. Whichever.
What you need most is a software layer, because the hardware already exists. You can build a router in your home that can shuffle bits between half a dozen ethernet devices, no problem. Long haul can be a bit more challenging, but with a little ingenuity, not nearly as bad as one might think. Even contested borders are not impermeable, and between relatively friendly nations it would be more porous than a tissue paper umbrella.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 01 2017, @07:29AM
But they're not. Without borders, how will they do their tax shopping?