Russian citizens are facing a digital crisis as government-mandated data blocks render smartphones practically useless for accessing the global internet. As the Kremlin moves deeper toward the “sovereign internet” law, access to international news, social media, and encrypted messaging apps has been almost entirely severed. This information vacuum has led many to describe their devices as “bricks,” forcing a desperate scramble for sophisticated VPNs and decentralized communication tools. Analysts suggest these measures are an attempt to exert total control over the domestic narrative.
Date: March 26, 2026. Source: aljazeera.com