Forbes: telecommunications operators are being forced to introduce a fee for VPN usage to bypass blocks. It is noted that the initiative of the ministry stems from a closed directive from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian operators will introduce a fee for the use of VPN services in Russia. Digital platforms will not allow users who access through such technologies. This was called for by the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, as reported by Forbes citing several sources.
It is noted that the initiative of the ministry stems from a closed directive from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As the publication clarifies, citing its sources, on Saturday, March 28, Shadayev held two meetings with business representatives. The first included major telecommunications operators, while the second involved representatives from digital platforms and online retail, including marketplaces and social networks. The head of the Ministry of Digital Development asked them to take measures against the use of VPN services by Russians.
In particular, telecommunications operators were urged to introduce a fee for using more than 15 gigabytes of international traffic per month on mobile devices. According to a source in the telecommunications industry cited by Forbes, these conditions are planned to be implemented for mobile subscribers starting May 1.
According to other sources from the publication, platforms were asked to restrict the use of services for users who utilize VPNs. Moreover, a source familiar with the Ministry of Digital Development meetings told Forbes that Shadayev allowed for the possibility of introducing administrative responsibility for the use of VPNs.
