VPN Downloads Surge in Russia Following Increased Censorship

VPN use has skyrocketed in Russia following the country's ban on social media companies like Facebook and Twitter and increased censorship.

According to the latest data from SensorTower, 7 of the Top 10 apps in Russia right now are VPN apps. CloudFlare's 1.1.1.1 DNS privacy app is also in the Top 10.

This week Russia criminalized the reporting of "fake news" and the spread of "false" information about its war on Ukraine, including calling it a "war" or "invasion". Breaking this new law carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Unfortunately, many non-state media outlets and journalists have been forced to stop operating, making it more difficult for Russians to get information from outside the country.


Citizens are turning to VPN apps to bypass these restrictions, though it's unclear if the country will take steps to block this as well. For now, if you are in Russia, we'd strongly recommend using a VPN to encrypt your internet connection and keep your browsing history and online identity private. Frankly, we recommend all users have a VPN, no matter where you are located.

If you're looking at VPNs, NordVPN is a good option. Currently, the company still has its 10th birthday deal going with 70% off a two year subscription plus a free 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. Other options include CyberGhost, IPVanish, VyprVPN, PureVPN, and Private Internet Access.

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