- Days after blocking Telegram, Russia also restricts WhatsApp and YouTube
- Censors Reportedly Use Combination of DNS Blocking and DPI Techniques
- VPNs Can Bypass Blocks, But Circumvention Tools Are Restricted Too
Telegram, WhatsApp and YouTube have been blocked in Russia for the past three days as authorities step up efforts to push state-controlled alternatives.
Cybersecurity experts told TechRadar that the platforms are likely restricted through the country’s national Domain Name System (DNS). Often described as the “phone book of the Internet,” DNS helps connect web browsers to the specific websites that users request.
By removing or redirecting these domain names, the system fails to reach the required IP address, forcing users to bypass the DNS resolution system through a VPN.
Cybersecurity researcher Łukasz Olejnik suggested in X that Roskomnadzor took this approach because it lacks the ability to speed up Telegram, YouTube and WhatsApp simultaneously. Instead, authorities “completely blocked the softest targets by removing them from the DNS.” he wrote.
Sarkis Darbinyan, a Russian cyber lawyer and expert at RKS Global, warned that DNS manipulation – which is relatively easy to circumvent – is just one tool in Roskomandzor’s arsenal.
Speaking to TechRadar, Darbinyan also highlighted the use of “TSPU” (Technical Measures to Counter Threats) equipment, which leverages deep packet inspection (DPI) technology.
DPI provides authorities with granular information about users’ browsing activity, allowing censors to selectively discard data packets intended for specific services. While VPNs can bypass these DPI-enabled blocks, authorities are increasingly targeting anti-censorship tools themselves.
A push towards state-controlled apps
Darbinyan describes the latest wave of restrictions as “predictable,” as authorities pursue the “progressive closure of all platforms beyond the Kremlin’s control.”
“It was clear that the process would continue slowly but steadily until these platforms were completely blocked. However, what we misjudged was the timing of the crackdown on Telegram,” Darbinyan told TechRadar, noting that experts did not expect an outright ban for at least another six months.
Telegram, the first service to be restricted this week, is more than just a messaging app: it is also a vital tool for the Kremlin and pro-war bloggers to distribute propaganda. The ban has proven controversial internally, even drawing criticism from Russian soldiers.
According to Darbinyan, Telegram’s restrictions began the same day VK announced the launch of “private channels” on MAX, a move likely designed to force Telegram’s audience to opt for the state-backed alternative. MAX, a state-controlled “super app” inspired by China’s WeChat, must now be pre-installed on all smartphones and tablets sold in Russia.
Developed by VK, the app integrates messaging with government and banking services, although experts warn it has “enormous surveillance potential.”
What’s next for digital rights in Russia?
Experts who follow Russia’s digital landscape anticipate that censorship will only intensify in the coming months. Website blocks are expected to expand to more services as authorities tighten their control ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for September.
As TechRadar previously reported, Russia has entered an aggressive new phase in its battle against VPNs. To support this, Roskomnadzor will allocate 2.27 billion rubles (~$29 million) to develop an AI-powered filtering system. It is designed to automate the detection and blocking of both prohibited content and encrypted VPN connections.
Darbinyan believes this is just the beginning of a full consolidation of the national Internet. He told TechRadar that he expects any service that “does not store user data locally and does not cooperate with Russian security services” will be blocked in the coming years.
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