tech
Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan
Kremlin appearing to ramp up control over internet, as it tests new ‘whitelist’ restrictions and pushes people to state-owned app
TL;DR
- Internet services have been disrupted in Moscow and St. Petersburg for about a week.
- The Kremlin claims the outages are for 'security reasons' and will persist as long as necessary.
- Sales of walkie-talkies have increased by 27%, and pagers by 73%, as people seek alternative communication methods.
- Activists believe this may be a test of a 'whitelist' system that would restrict internet access to government-approved sites.
- Russia ranked first globally for internet disruptions in 2025, according to Top10VPN.
- The shutdowns have impacted courier services, taxi apps, and retail businesses, with estimated losses of 1bn roubles per day.
- Lawmakers in the State Duma have also experienced mobile network and wifi outages.
- The disruptions coincide with a crackdown on online spaces, including blocks on WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, and potential restrictions on Telegram.
- Authorities may gain the ability to limit VPN traffic within six months.
- A state-backed 'super-app' called Max, modeled on China's WeChat, is being promoted to Russians.