Russia's Roskomnadzor Demands Google Remove 47 VPN Services

In a dramatic escalation of online censorship efforts, Roskomnadzor, Russia's Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media, has requested the removal of 47 VPN services from Google Play. This significant move, reported by the publication Rusbase, marks the most extensive wave of such requests seen in recent months, as authorities intensify efforts to control access to online information.

During the week starting March 15, 2025, Roskomnadzor sent dozens of requests to Google, which are documented in Lumen Database, a known platform where companies report requests for content removal. The basis for these removals lies within the Federal Law No. 149-FZ 'On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection,' which cites the presence of prohibited information within these VPN applications.

The urgency behind this campaign emerges from the enforcement of laws limiting internet access in Russia. By targeting VPNs—widely known for providing users with the ability to bypass governmental restrictions—Roskomnadzor aims to uphold the integrity of information dissemination as perceived by the state. A significant portion of these VPN services is reported to use infrastructure from Cloudflare, a major American company providing CDN services, DNS servers, and DDoS protection.

In conjunction with the VPN removals, reports surfaced about widespread access issues in the Ural and Siberia regions of Russia. Users encountered significant problems accessing popular online platforms and services, including Discord and Twitch, which experts attributed to complications related to the Cloudflare infrastructure. As the situation escalated, Roskomnadzor communicated the necessity for domestic organizations to seek out Russian hosting solutions in light of the perceived vulnerabilities associated with foreign server infrastructures.

It’s worth noting that these actions are not entirely new. Since March 1, 2024, there has been a ban on promoting services that facilitate access to restricted materials, a move that supplemented the gradual tightening of internet controls initiated by Roskomnadzor over the past several years. Reports indicate that more than 200 VPN services have already been blocked across Russia since late 2024, with crucial restrictions introduced on advertisements promoting VPN technologies.

In fact, this recent wave of censorship reflects a harsh digital climate where internet toolkit options are becoming exceedingly scarce. After Apple confirmed to Reporters Without Borders that it had removed VPN services from its Russian App Store to comply with local laws, the ripple effect of these decisions became evident within the tech industry. The actions taken by Apple underscore a growing trend among international companies to align their business operations within the confines of Russian legal statutes—oftentimes at the cost of accessibility for local users.

Cloudflare itself faced scrutiny as it was forcibly included in Roskomnadzor’s registry of Information Dissemination Organizers (ORI) earlier this year, following failures to notify the agency of its operational status in the country. This scenario highlights the increasingly precarious position foreign tech companies find themselves in when navigating the murky waters of Russian internet regulation.

While Roskomnadzor argues that the removals of these VPN services are in the interest of upholding national security and preventing illegal information dissemination, critics of the policy warn that continued control over internet access and information could lead to increased isolation of Russian citizens from global discourse. Experts argue this clampdown restricts individual freedoms and undermines the very principles of dialogue and engagement vital in democratic societies.

As the regulatory landscape continues to shift, users in Russia may find it increasingly difficult to circumvent censorship and gain access to a free and open internet. The recent requests from Roskomnadzor signify a broader strategy focused on stifling VPNs that present risks to state-approved narratives. Consequently, many users may question how long internet service providers and VPN technologies can coexist with stringent government oversight.

The growing dissent against the advanced censorship measures has raised conversations about the future of internet freedom in Russia. With the increasing likelihood of facing not just barriers to information, users must also grapple with the repercussions it brings to their daily digital lives.

Overall, the ongoing tug-of-war between regulatory authorities and technological freedoms showcases the challenges that lie ahead in a digital age defined by connectivity and information exchange. As the landscape grows more complex, what remains clear is the critical role VPNs played in maintaining access to a freer internet—and how their potential removal will be a decisive factor in shaping the future of online communication in Russia.