⚖️ Streaming Services Begin Blocking VPN Access
Russian online cinemas have started restricting access to content for users with active VPNs on their devices. These limitations apply to both mobile applications and web browser versions of the platforms.
New Regulatory Requirements
The crackdown stems from new mandates issued by the Ministry of Digital Development. The agency has ordered major IT platforms to implement systems capable of detecting VPN traffic. Companies that fail to comply face severe sanctions, ranging from the loss of tax incentives to being removed from the government’s mandatory software pre-installation list.
Legal Perspective
Legal experts are skeptical about the success of potential user complaints. Platforms are contractually obligated to restrict content viewing to the territory of the Russian Federation. Because a VPN masks or replaces an IP address, its use is technically considered a violation of the licensing terms.
Terms of Service and Judicial Outlook
Most services already include clauses in their user agreements prohibiting the use of tools to bypass geographical filters. Since the platform itself remains functional and the obstacle is technically created by the user’s own software, courts are likely to side with the streaming services, as they are acting in accordance with regulatory directives.
Source: Dni Medialogistiki
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