Russia Blocks Access To Six VPN Providers Ahead Of Elections, 3 September 2021

Russia's media watchdog has blocked six providers of virtual proxy networks (VPNs), which people can use to circumvent government restrictions on the Internet.

The move, announced on September 3, comes as Russian authorities tighten control of the Internet, blocking access to dozens of websites ahead of parliamentary elections this month...

The targeted VPN providers, including the widely used Nord VPN and Express VPN, are among Russia's most popular, but several other companies offer similar services...

Critics have denounced official oversight of the web as censorship aimed at silencing dissent...