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A new wave of blocks in Russia targets VPN apps and Cloudflare subnets

A new wave of blocks in Russia targets VPN apps and Cloudflare subnets

  • 19.03.2025 18:46
  • techradar.com
  • Keywords: VPN Ban, DNS Blocking

Russia's Roskomnadzor began targeting VPN apps on Google Play Store from March 12, 2025, while Cloudflare subnets were blocked later, causing widespread outages across regions including Urals and Primorye. The actions follow a law criminalizing information about circumventing internet restrictions and may signal plans to block Cloudflare entirely.

Alphabet ServicesNETsentiment_dissatisfied

Estimated market influence

Google

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Google's Play Store has been targeted by Roskomnadzor with app removal orders, impacting VPN services availability.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare

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Analyst rating: Buy

Cloudflare subnets were blocked in Russia, causing outages and VPN service disruptions.

Context

Analysis of Business Insights and Market Implications

Key Facts and Data Points

  • Start Date: March 12, 2025
  • Targeted Services: VPN apps on Google Play Store and Cloudflare subnets
  • Number of Affected IPs: Over 1.5 million
  • Affected Regions: Eastern Russia (Urals to Primorye)
  • Impacted Websites: TikTok, Steam, Twitch, Epic Games, Duolingo, mobile operator sites
  • VPN Services Disrupted: HideMyNetVPN, Proxy Shield VPN, Secure VPN, Warp VPN

Market Trends and Business Impact

  • Intensifying VPN Blocking: Russia's Roskomnadzor has escalated its efforts to block VPNs, targeting both Google Play Store apps and Cloudflare infrastructure.
  • Global Tech Companies Affected:
    • Google faces pressure to comply with removal orders, similar to Apple's experience in removing 98 apps from the App Store earlier.
    • Cloudflare's DNS services are under threat, potentially leading to a complete ban as seen in Iran.

Competitive Dynamics

  • VPN Industry:

    • VPN providers like HideMyNetVPN and Proxy Shield VPN are directly impacted, facing connectivity issues and potential removal from major app stores.
    • The competitive landscape may shift as users seek alternative services or rely on domestic Russian VPNs (if available).

  • CDN Market:

    • Cloudflare's dominance as a CDN provider is under threat in Russia, potentially forcing businesses reliant on its services to find alternatives.
    • This could create opportunities for local Russian CDNs or other global providers willing to comply with Russian regulations.

Strategic Considerations

  • Regulatory Compliance:

    • Tech companies must navigate increasing regulatory demands in Russia, risking market access if they fail to comply with blocking orders.
    • The legal framework criminalizing VPN usage and circumventing internet restrictions poses long-term challenges for service providers.

  • User Impact:

    • Internet disruptions have caused significant inconvenience for users, potentially eroding trust in foreign tech platforms.
    • Businesses relying on blocked services (e.g., e-commerce, gaming) may face revenue losses and operational challenges.

Long-Term Effects

  • Potential Complete Ban of Cloudflare:

    • If Russia follows through on its strategy, Cloudflare could be entirely blocked, affecting all businesses dependent on its CDN services.
    • This would force global companies to reconsider their infrastructure strategies in Russia or abandon the market altogether.

  • Regulatory Precedent:

    • The actions against VPNs and Cloudflare set a precedent for future regulatory crackdowns on internet freedoms, potentially influencing other countries.

Conclusion

Russia's targeted blocking of VPN apps and Cloudflare subnets represents a significant shift in its regulatory approach to the internet. While the immediate impact is felt by tech giants like Google and Apple, as well as VPN providers, the long-term implications could reshape the global tech market, particularly for businesses reliant on CDN services and VPN technologies.