Scientific and Statistical Information on Bypassing Blocks Now Banned

The Russian communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has introduced changes to the “Criteria for Assessing Materials and/or Information Necessary for Making Decisions That Serve as Grounds for Inclusion in the Register of Prohibited Information.” The corresponding order was published on the official legal acts portal.

A new criterion for prohibited information subject to blocking has been introduced. It now includes:

“…scientific, scientific-technical, and statistical information about methods and ways of exchanging information in information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, when providing access to information resources and/or information and telecommunication networks using secure communication channels.”

According to the text of the order, Roskomnadzor’s directive will be in effect until September 1, 2029. The document was published on November 20, and will come into force on November 30.

It became known back in July of this year that such information would be banned. The regulatory agency noted that the new restrictions would not apply to information about VPN services intended for providing remote access, as long as they are not used to bypass blocks.

The ban on distributing this type of information took effect on March 1 of this year. Roskomnadzor is responsible for enforcing the blocks. By the end of July, the number of websites and links added to the register of prohibited information on this basis had exceeded five hundred.