Russia strengthens cyber control: Testing new system to block VPNs and promote national ‘sovereign internet’
In a major move, Russia recently launched a test of a new system that has the ability to cut off domestic access to the global internet and reportedly even block tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) from circumventing those restrictions.
The move marks an important step for Russia in building a so-called "sovereign internet," aimed at strengthening state control over the internet and protecting the independence of its cyberspace.
60 billion rubles over five years to strengthen Internet censorship system
To achieve this goal, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development has announced plans to invest nearly 60 billion rubles (about $660 million) over the next five years to strengthen the network traffic censorship system, known as TSPU (ТСПУ), which is created, distributed and controlled by Russia's national communications regulator Roskomnadzor.