138,000 websites have been blocked in Russia since the start of the war, according to Russia’s chief prosecutor Igor Krasnov. Among them Russian independent media channels and social media such as Instagram and Facebook.
The figure has been criticized by the Russian non-governmental organization Roskomsvoboda, which states that it is rather about 5,300 blocked pages and links.
VPN usage is on the rise
But it has caused the residents to find new ways.
VPN apps anonymize the user’s location and identity, making it possible to access banned websites. The number of VPN users in Russia has now increased from 1.6 million in February to 24 million in July, according to figures obtained by the British newspaper The Times.
– We don’t have a TV at home and only get news via the internet. To immerse myself in one or another topic, I use websites that I reach via VPN, says Egor, a baker from Moscow, to SVT.
“It’s inconvenient”
Russian authorities are trying to reduce VPN usage and are also blocking VPN services. It has also caused many – newsrooms, companies and individuals – to switch to the social media platform Telegram.
– It is inconvenient to go in and connect via VPN all the time. That’s why I read news on Telegram instead, says Egor.
Egor also uses Instagram to promote his bakery and share recipes.