Digital privacy has had a very bad summer. As China and Russia move to block virtual private network services, well over a billion people face losing their best chance at circumventing censorship laws. First, China asked telecom companies to start blocking user access to VPNs that didn't pass government muster by next February. More recently, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a law to ban VPNs and other anonymous browsing tools that undermine government censorship.
As citizens of these countries and people around the world scramble to understand the repercussions, US-based companies that operate in the countries have been swept up in the controversy. Apple complied with a Chinese government order to remove VPNs from its Chinese iOS AppStore, and the company that runs Amazon's cloud services in China this week said it would no longer support VPN use. Even hotels around China that offered VPN services to foreign visitors are largely curtailing the practice.
China and Russia's recent actions aren't new movements toward censorship, but they are escalations. And they leave citizens with few viable options for accessing the open internet.
While the suppressive efforts share the same end goal, they do take different forms. China has laid the foundation for its "Great Firewall" for more than two decades, attempting to control citizens' internet access on a very large scale. Creating and upgrading such a system over time takes massive resources. While Putin has praised the approach, Russia doesn't have a comparable apparatus. Instead, since about 2012, the Kremlin has gradually built up a web of legislation that shapes and controls the Russian internet through legal force more than technical control.
"These crackdowns and ratcheting up of internet censorship in China tend to ebb and flow, and so it is possible that eventually we may see VPNs sort of silently reappear," says Eva Galperin, the director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "In Russia what theyre doing is theyre passing more and more draconian laws that are extremely difficult to implement. The reason for this is it makes sure that at any given time everyone is breaking the lawanyone that the government wants to target and wants to lean on for information is in violation of the law."
Emily Parker
Apple Caved to China, Just Like Almost Every Other Tech Giant
Jeremy Hsu
Why Apple Is Losing Its Shine in China
Julia Greenberg
Netflix May Never Break Into China
Both approaches have made Russia and China insular markets, challenging for international companies to operate in. Apple, which has been accused of hypocrisy for pushing back against government surveillance in the US while complying with VPN takedown requirements in China, worked for years to enter the Chinese market. "We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business," company CEO Tim Cook said in an earnings call on Tuesday. "We strongly believe participating in markets and bringing benefits to customers is in the best interest of the folks there and in other countries as well."
The VPN crackdowns in China and Russia came as no surprise to those who follow digital rights closely. "We expected it at some point, it wasn't like we didnt know where it came from," says Robert Knapp, the CEO of the Romanian VPN provider CyberGhost, which had its app removed from the iOS AppStore in China. "We had seen the Chinese government putting more and more pressure on VPN providers in a technical senseblocking our IPs, blocking the server infrastructure we were using, detecting traffic from certain sources."
After years of investing in technical control, China now seems focused on experimenting with regulatory enforcement as well. In the Xinjiang region of western China, reports indicate that the government is requiring citizens to install spyware on their smartphonesostensibly for anti-terrorism initiativesand is doing random stops to check whether local residents have complied. They have also arrested citizens over conversations in private chatrooms, indicating that the local government may be actively taking advantage of the spyware. "We are extremely alarmed. This is about as far as a nation-state has gone to submit its people to monitoring," Jeremy Malcolm, a senior global policy analyst at EFF, said of the situation in Xinjiang.
For its part, the Russian government has moved swiftly since 2012 to regulate both infrastructure and content such that is has extensive control of the internet at this point. After the Russian government took broad control of television and media in the early 2000s, the internet was the only place left for free communication. "Now the government is trying to close in on that," says Rachel Denber, the deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch. "Its the logical progression of things. Once you go down the road of trying to expand state control over online communication, [banning VPNs] would be the next post to hit."
The Russian government may also be reacting to the current geopolitical situation, in which the country has been called out for hacking numerous Western countries , particularly leading up to democratic elections. "The authorities may also be looking ahead to the 2018 [Russian] presidential election, and they might want to take preemptive steps to ensure that no opposition mobilization takes place online," Denber notes.
For now there are still some ways around the Chinese and Russian governments' internet barriers, if you're willing to accept the risk. iPhones can only download apps from the App Store (unless a unit is jailbroken, which is not impossible but technically difficult, and introduces a host of security vulnerabilities). Android phones, though, can still sideload VPN apps from third-party app stores, since users aren't required to get apps from the Play Store. Google doesn't even operate its Play Store in China. For now, it's also easier to download desktop VPNs than mobile ones.
Other anonymizing tools besides VPNs remain a viable option as well, like the Tor Browser . That may carry more risk in Russia, though, given the recent arrest of someone who ran an Tor exit nodea gateway between the service and the internetthe country recently [lost a Tor exit node] for participating in protests. Using Tor Browser in China, meanwhile, requires extensive technical skill, to get around the Great Firewall.
It's also possible to install VPNs on devices while in other countries, and then use them in Russia or China. And end-to-end encrypted messaging services like Signal are a totally separate way of communicating and potentially receiving uncensored information without dealing with VPNs at all.
Experts report that both China and Russia may enact anti-VPN enforcement through checkpoints and arrests to intimidate citizens. "We are still used in Russia, we still count downloads, our Russian community is actually still growing," CyberGhost's Knapp says. "But instead of simply blocking VPN traffic, the Russian government is pulling another string now. They forbid it and they are going to enforce itmaybe brutally enforce it."
There could be unforeseen side effects as well. At the same time that eliminating these tools helps governments expand surveillance and control access to information, banning them also has the potential to degrade countries' overall security posture. Institutions that don't have access to VPNs could be at increased risk of being infiltrated or breached by foreign attackers. And if repressive governments set their sights on encryption next, they could undermine the integrity of basic economic drivers like secure digital transactions.
The dangers of banning VPNs are clear and pressing from a human rights standpoint. But countries that pursue it regardless may find they lose more than they intended.
View post:
The Attack on Global Privacy Leaves Few Places To Turn - WIRED
- Tor Browser Has a New WebTunnel Feature to Avoid Censorship - How-To Geek - March 14th, 2024 [March 14th, 2024]
- The CIA Is Now Trying to Recruit Russian Spies On Telegram - TIME - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Dark Web Alerts: Identifying Criminal Data Exposure on the Dark Web - Security Boulevard - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Mullvad aces security audit with this new privacy tool - TechRadar - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Billions of Google Chrome users warned to avoid browser over red alert privacy concerns check your sett... - The US Sun - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- How the decision on Space Command's home will be made - POLITICO - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Bitcoin Mixers: Clearnet vs. Darknet Which Offers Greater Anonymity? - Crypto Mode - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- Matt Taibbi: Report on the Censorship-Industrial Complex - Scheerpost.com - April 27th, 2023 [April 27th, 2023]
- The Ultimate 2023 Guide to The Tor Browser Explained - Pixel Privacy - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- What is Tor & How Do You Use It? Microsoft 365 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Improving privacy when browsing web: Alternative browsers and chrome extensions - HackRead - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Tor Browser Bundle - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- Hacktivists seek to aid Iran protests with cyberattacks and tips on how to bypass internet censorship - CNBC - October 11th, 2022 [October 11th, 2022]
- This security firm claims to have the right tool for your privacy, and it's not a VPN - TechRadar - September 15th, 2022 [September 15th, 2022]
- A VPN Isn't the Only Way to Change Your IP Address - CNET - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Hi, I'll be your ransomware negotiator today but don't tell the crooks that - The Register - August 6th, 2022 [August 6th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Reward Offer for Information on Russian Interference in U.S. Elections - United States Department of State - Department of State - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- How Tor Is Fightingand BeatingRussian Censorship - WIRED - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- What Is Incognito Mode And Should You Be Using It? - Forbes - July 29th, 2022 [July 29th, 2022]
- TOR Browser - Onion VPN on the App Store - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Tor Browser now bypasses internet censorship automatically - BleepingComputer - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- The dangers of the dark web: being safe online - Open Access Government - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]
- Tor vs VPN: Which One Should You Use? - Dignited - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Rewards for Justice Offers Up to $10 Million for Information on Foreign Interference in US Elections - HS Today - HSToday - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Kremlin tightens control over Russians' online lives threatening domestic freedoms and the global internet - Jacksonville Journal-Courier - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Defence in Amanda Todd 'sextortion' trial zeroes in on missing data - The Tri-City News - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Now that 'Roe' has been overturned, it's up to the tech industry to protect our data - Fast Company - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- QAnon Is Celebrating the Return of Its Leader After 18 Months of Silence - VICE - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- 3 ways to find out if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web - Komando - June 22nd, 2022 [June 22nd, 2022]
- EXPLAINER: EFCC 'Linked Naira Marley to the Dark Web'. Here's What You Need to Know About the Internet's Most Hidden Part - FIJ NG - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- What is the Dark Web? - AOL - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Cookie Banners Can Be AnnoyingHere's How To Block Them - WRAL News - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- DuckDuckGo tries to explain why its browsers won't block some Microsoft web trackers - The Register - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- Proton VPN Secure Core: what it is and when you should use it - TechRadar - May 28th, 2022 [May 28th, 2022]
- How to Download & Install Tor Browser in Windows 10 - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- How to Unblock a Webpage from Behind a Firewall - Beebom - May 7th, 2022 [May 7th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser For Windows & MAC (Offline Installer) - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Tor Browser - Dark Web Portal Exposed | Dark Web Wiki - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- Top 10 dark web links & Tor websites for 2022 - Surfshark - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Install the Tor Browser on a Chromebook - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Anonymous access to the dark web with Tor - BollyInside - May 1st, 2022 [May 1st, 2022]
- How to Change the Tor Browser Language - How-To Geek - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Bites of Life: Shining Light on the Dark Web - Macalester College The Mac Weekly - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- How to protect against the weakest link in cybersecurity THE USERS - Security Boulevard - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- What Is Dark Social and Why It Matters - Legal Talk Network - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- IP bans - why they happen and how to prevent them - Oneindia - April 29th, 2022 [April 29th, 2022]
- Deep Web Tor Browser - Tor Links - Onion Links (2022) - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- How to Install and Use the Tor Browser on Linux - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- The Best VPN for Binance 2022 [How to Use Binance With a VPN] - Cloudwards - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Three tactics for security providers in the age of Dark Web collaboration - SecurityInfoWatch - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Simple way to Install Tor Browser in Rocky Linux 8 - Linux Shout - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Laptop in Veltman apartment had what appeared to be 'hate-related material': docs - Lethbridge News Now - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- How to Access Blocked Websites anywhere and for Free - BollyInside - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Mac - Free - 10.0 - Digital Trends - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Open in Tor Browser Get this Extension for Firefox (en-US) - March 11th, 2022 [March 11th, 2022]
- Use Brave Private Browsing with Tor to Hide IP Address - OSXDaily - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Are Crypto Transactions More Transparent Than Wire Transfers? - InvestingCube - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- The Truth about Dark Web Is It Really Dangerous? - Crypto Mode - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Tech-Savvy Professionals Among 22 Arrested In Dark Web Narcotics Operation - NDTV - February 15th, 2022 [February 15th, 2022]
- Download Tor Browser for Windows - Free - 11.0.3 - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Tor Project heads to Russian court to appeal against censorship - The Daily Swig - February 1st, 2022 [February 1st, 2022]
- Firefox Monitor may remove personal information now from the Internet - Ghacks Technology News - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- The Real Russia. Today. Reining in an unruly Communist Party Meduza - Meduza - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- See the stunning mansion Josh Duggar is calling home during his child pornography trial ahead of possible... - The US Sun - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- Whats the Difference Between the Deep Web and the Dark Web? - How-To Geek - December 9th, 2021 [December 9th, 2021]
- How to Access the Dark Web Complete Guide? - The Bulletin Time - December 7th, 2021 [December 7th, 2021]
- Theres More to Threat Intelligence Than Dark Web Monitoring - Security Boulevard - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- You have to work on this through the routeras options diet plan, as some items immediately restore previous setup after a forced reboot - ADOTAS - November 25th, 2021 [November 25th, 2021]
- What is Tor (Browser) & How does it work? | CyberNews - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Privacy-Protective Internet Browser Tor Is Running Low on Servers - Gizmodo - November 23rd, 2021 [November 23rd, 2021]
- Yes, the Internet has become safer but a VPN is still needed - TechGenix - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Scots businessman caught with the 'most serious' category of child abuse images jailed - Scottish Daily Record - November 19th, 2021 [November 19th, 2021]
- Anna and Josh Duggar welcomed daughter Madyson Lily on October 23, their 7th child * starcasm.net - Starcasm - November 17th, 2021 [November 17th, 2021]
- Tor Browser (Alpha) 11.0.9 Download | TechSpot - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- US government offers $10 million bounty for information on Colonial Pipeline hackers - The Verge - November 5th, 2021 [November 5th, 2021]
- The Tor Browser: What is it and why would you use it ... - October 24th, 2021 [October 24th, 2021]
- Tor Explained: What is Tor? How Does It Work? Is It Illegal? - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Alternatives to Using a VPN That Provided Excellent Anonymity While Online - TechBullion - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- Slicing open The Onion Router (Tor) with no tears - ComputerWeekly.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]
- What is the dark web? - fox4kc.com - October 19th, 2021 [October 19th, 2021]