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Russia threatens to block all Google services in a 'soft squeeze' of US tech

Date:
Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:59:26 +0000

Description:
Russia is considering a complete ban on Google services, according to a 
member of the State Duma's IT committee. This comes as part of a wider
crackdown on foreign technology.

FULL STORY

Russia is considering a complete ban on all Google services, according to a
top government official, as the country continues to tighten its grip on the
internet. 

Andrei Svintsov, a member of the State Duma's committee on information 
policy, reportedly said that many, if not all, of Google's services could be
restricted because the company stores user data outside of Russia. Svintsov
claims that this represents a "serious threat" to the country and its 
economy, as it allows for the monitoring of Russian businesses. This could
then be used to inform further sanctions against the country. 

This isn't the first time that Svintsov has targeted Google-owned platforms.
Back in August, he suggested that Google Meet could be banned after the
service experienced some brief disruptions in the country. At the time ,
Svintsov said that any Western apps deemed a threat to national security 
could be banned and that those that "can spy on our citizens and send
information to Western intelligence services may well be blocked. 

The Russian government has been pushing for foreign tech companies to store
the data of Russian users on servers located within the country for some 
time. With the introduction of a new bill in the Duma to strengthen the
protection of personal data when it is transferred abroad, it seems that the
government is now ready to take more drastic measures to enforce this. 

The ultimate goal, Svintsov says, is a "soft squeeze" of American technology
out of Russia. For those looking to bypass ongoing and new restrictions, 
using one of the best VPN services is becoming increasingly important. 

Russias digital iron curtain

This latest threat against Google is part of a wider trend of Russia's
increasing digital isolation. While the government has a long history of
restricting the internet, censors have further targeted a number of Western
platforms in recent months. 

In December, it was reported that Russia had blocked access to Roblox,
FaceTime, and Snapchat , with the country's communications regulator,
Roskomnadzor, accusing the platforms of hosting "extremist materials" and
being used to organize "terrorist activities." 

The popular messaging service WhatsApp is also in the Kremlin's crosshairs ,
with the government threatening a full ban of the app. Over 30 experts from
civil society organizations and tech companies have condemned Russia's
actions, calling it a " wider campaign against human rights ." In a joint
letter, they argue that "Free, private, and secure communication is not a
privilege, but a fundamental right that must be protected everywhere." 

As well as blocking access to Western platforms, Russia is also making it
harder for its citizens to use tools that can bypass its censorship. The
government has been cracking down on VPN usage over the years, in fact. In
March 2024, it introduced a law to criminalize the spread of information 
about how to circumvent internet restrictions. 

That's likely the legal basis behind a wave of removal orders, which have led
to Apple killing at least 60 VPN apps , including the popular Russian service
Amnezia VPN , in 2024 alone. 

These escalating restrictions are creating a digital iron curtain, cutting
Russia off from the rest of the world and leaving its citizens with fewer and
fewer options for secure and private communication. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/russia-threatens-to-block-a
ll-google-services-in-a-soft-squeeze-of-us-tech

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