- Regulator suggestes that Russians switch to domestic alternatives amid push for digital sovereignty
Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor announced the nationwide blocking of Speedtest, the US-based internet performance tool operated by Ookla.
According to Roskomnadzor, the measure was taken to mitigate what it identifies as threats to the security and stability of Russia’s digital infrastructure, citing a 2020 decree aimed at reinforcing protections over the country’s segment of the internet.
Foreign technology companies, including major players like Alphabet, Meta, and Apple, have faced ongoing scrutiny from Russian regulators regarding the content they host and the locations where user data is stored.
The pressure on these companies has noticeably intensified over the past several years, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which accelerated the country’s efforts toward “digital sovereignty.”
Threaten user privacy
Roskomnadzor suggested that Russians switch to domestic alternatives, explicitly recommending ProSet—also known as ProNet in English—a homegrown application that offers internet speed and signal testing, similar to Speedtest.
The recommendation is part of a broader campaign to promote Russian-developed digital products and reduce reliance on Western technology.
This isn’t the first major move by the Kremlin to assert control over the national digital landscape. The Russian government has previously blocked major social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook (both owned by Meta), reduced the accessibility of YouTube, and pressed the messaging service WhatsApp to prepare for an exit from Russia.
A new messaging platform, MAX, developed under state oversight, is reportedly poised to take its place.
International organisations are watching Russia’s tightening grip with concern. In a report released, Human Rights Watch warned that the government’s increased surveillance capabilities and greater authority over internet infrastructure enable wider censorship and more comprehensive blocking of independent tools—even those designed to bypass restrictions.
“For years, Russian authorities have been carefully constructing a highly regulated and isolated segment of the internet,” observed Anastasiia Kruope, assistant researcher for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch.
New laws, she noted, significantly strengthen censorship and could threaten user privacy, with penalties now in place for online searches related to content the government labels as “extremist.”
The report further emphasised that these policies put Russian citizens at greater risk, as their personal data is more likely to be shared with law enforcement authorities under the new regulations.
