Russian telecoms regulator preparing order to restrict search engine results violating VPN law - MP Khinshtein

MOSCOW. Oct 3 (Interfax) - The Russian telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor is preparing to restrict all search engine results for queries about VPN services that fail to filter information banned in Russia, head of the State Duma Information Policy Committee Alexander Khinshtein has said.

"Such an order, in compliance with the law we have passed, is actually being prepared by Roskomnadzor," Khinshtein said on Telegram on Tuesday, referring to the possible restriction of search engine results about VPN services that violate Russian law by failing to filter banned information.

Roskomnadzor officials are not aware of "any other new orders concerning VPNs," he said, adding that he had contacted the state regulator's management.

Khinshtein described the information that was recently spread claiming the regulator will block all VPN services that provide access to websites banned in Russia starting March 1 as strange.

"The point is that the Roskomnadzor is already empowered by lawmakers to block such services, and this is what happens on a regular basis," Khinshtein said.