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Russia Bans VPNs and Tor, Effective November 1

posted by martyb on Monday July 31 2017, @09:28PM   
from the someone's-watching-you dept.

takyon writes:

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

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Original Submission

• Re:And so the internet is, Re:And so the internet is, (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 31 2017, @11:47PM (3 children)

  by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 31 2017, @11:47PM (#547420)

  Sales of Pringles might boom near national borders ...

  I'm a Funyuns addict, you insensitive clod!

  Parent

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• Re:And so the internet is, Re:And so the internet is, (Score: 3, Informative) by captain normal on Tuesday August 01 2017, @12:51AM (2 children)

  by captain normal (2205) on Tuesday August 01 2017, @12:51AM (#547454)

  Funyuns don't come in a tube lined with foil like Pringles. As far as I know no one actually eats Pringles but the cans are known for being the basis for a very good directional WiFi antenna. you should turn in your geek card if you haven't seen this: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1242048/build_your_own_wireless_signal_booster_with_pringles/ [metacafe.com]

  --
  Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--

  Parent

  • Re:And so the internet is, (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 01 2017, @01:02AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 01 2017, @01:02AM (#547466)

    Does it work in the rain? What happens when the chips get soggy?

    Parent

  • Re:And so the internet is, (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 01 2017, @07:42AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 01 2017, @07:42AM (#547550)

    I can't afford WiFi because I spend all my money on Funyuns.

    Parent