Firefox Blocks VPN Extensions for Russian Users
Users and extension developers have reported that Mozilla has blocked the download of several VPN extensions for Firefox users in Russia. According to Mozilla representatives, this decision was made in response to “persistent requests” from Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal communications regulator.
Which Extensions Are Affected?
The restrictions apply to extensions such as Censor Tracker, “Runet Block Bypass,” Planet VPN, and FastProxy. Users note that the pages for all these extensions remain accessible in other regions (for example, in the United States), but are unavailable from within Russia.
Developers Not Notified
Developers of the affected extensions have stated that Mozilla did not notify them about the block, and they are unsure whether the situation is directly related to requests from Russian authorities.
Mozilla’s Official Statement
The Russian news outlet “Kommersant” obtained a comment from Mozilla representatives. The organization confirmed that this is a temporary measure, prompted by “persistent requests” from Roskomnadzor. Mozilla is currently deciding how to proceed.
“After recent regulatory changes in Russia, we began receiving persistent requests from Roskomnadzor demanding the removal of five extensions from the Mozilla Add-ons store. After careful consideration, we have temporarily restricted their availability in Russia. We are aware of the consequences of these actions and are carefully considering our next steps, taking into account our local community,” Mozilla stated.