ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a service for protecting Internet users from control by government services.

On June 22, 2017, Proton Technologies announced the launch of the ProtonVPN service. It was created to protect Internet users from government control.

Screenshot of the service page, (2017)

The free service level is valid when limited to three countries on one device and without support for Tor^[1].

ProtonVPN was created for more than a year and officially left the beta stage. Registration is open in the service (as of June 25, 2017, the service offers to sign up for a waiting list).

ProtonVPN can be used for free, while three countries will be available on one device, the data transfer rate is reduced and there is no support for the Tor network, access to ProtonMail Secure Core, an advanced connection protection mechanism.

According to Proton Technologies, the VPN service has been created for users who want to protect their freedom of action on the Internet in the face of tightened government control. First of all, the service is designed for activists, journalists and current ProtonMail users.

History

2022: Blocking Proton VPN in Russia

In early June 2022, it became known about the blocking of Proton VPN. The fact that users of the service in the Russian Federation began to experience problems with access to it was first reported by the company itself, and Roskomnadzor then confirmed the introduction of restrictions.

According to the law "On Communications," the means of bypassing the blocking of illegal content are recognized as a threat. The Public Communications Network Monitoring and Management Center (CMU SSOP - IF) is taking measures to restrict the operation of VPN services in Russia that violate Russian law, the department told Interfax.

Roskomnadzor blocked Proton VPN

As noted in the general director of Telecom DailyDenis Kuskov, usually when blocking a VPN, users face a decrease in connection speed, and application malfunctions begin.

On June 2, 2022, a message about problems with connecting to a VPN in Russia appeared on the website of the Proton VPN development company.

We are currently looking into the issue but it is not caused by any change on our part. It is likely that local ISPs and authorities are interfering with VPN connections, in which case we will not be able to solve such problems. Some servers may continue to run. We continue to try to bypass the blocking, "the service said in a statement.

In March 2022, the head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Alexander Khinshtein, said that VPN services used to bypass blocking in Russia are blocked. However, the Russian authorities do not plan to legally restrict the use of such services, he noted. According to the head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas, it is not planned to introduce responsibility for the use of VPN.^[2]

Notes