Russian watchdog bans use of OperaVPN and VyprVPN for private individuals

Russian telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor has banned the use of OperaVPN and VyprVPN by private individuals in the country. According to the watchdog, these VPN services would violate the law and allow access to illegal content.

Companies that are involved with ‘continuous technological processes’ may still use the VPN services, according to the Russian watchdog. Roskomnadzor therefore mentions in its press release a white list containing 200 of these ‘technological processes’.

Meanwhile, an Opera Software spokesperson told the Russian news agency TASS that the company will stop offering OperaVPN. “We will stop offering our VPN services on Russian territory. Opera is already protecting its users. We currently provide protection against tracking and malicious websites but remain open to an open dialogue about end-user protection on the internet,” it sounds.

At the time of writing, VyprVPN has not yet responded to the decision of the Russian telecom watchdog.