Browser maker decided not to follow Putin's orders. Well done
  • Mozilla has reinstated previously banned Firefox add-ons in Russia that were designed to circumvent state censorship, such as a VPN and a tool to access Tor websites.
  • The ban was initially imposed at the request of Russia’s internet censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, but Mozilla lifted it to support an open and accessible internet.
  • Mozilla’s decision reflects its commitment to users in Russia and globally, despite the potential risks associated with the regulatory environment in Russia.
  • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1171·
    5 months ago

    Russia is 100% going to force local ISPs and local VPN developers to block Mozilla domains.

    That said, good for Mozilla for doing what’s right, even if it means their installed base will get decimated in Russia.

    • deadcream@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      441·
      5 months ago

      They don’t even need to force it. Every ISP in Russia has government-managed DPI hardware that filters all use traffic performs such blocking. No cooperation from ISPs is necessary.

    • WolfdadCigarette@threads.net@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      111·
      5 months ago

      I’m more worried that this will give malicious non-state actors and, worse still, the Russian government easier access to Russian citizens seeking the ability to look behind the veil. The result of this repression will be inexperienced folks downloading an exe and quietly being logged as a dissident or innocent people finding their information compromised or hardware hijacked. Sourcing clean, difficult to track downloads of these addons and Firefox will become important in the near future.

        • WolfdadCigarette@threads.net@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          3·
          5 months ago

          Absolutely true! But tor can be more than a bit intimidating for new users. Many people hold preconceptions that may prevent them from using it, much less browsing a .onion. “Install Firefox and 4 addons” seems like a layperson’s simplest start and simplifying access to information is indescribably useful. As I said, I do not disagree.

    • vxx@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      5 months ago

      I guess it’s worth it when the other option is to basically become a state controlled tool that doesn’t offer any good for the Russian people.