faced immediate bans and cancellations, with their videos restricted. The Return to the Underground

: Beginning in July 2024, Russian authorities began artificially limiting the access speed of YouTube to discourage its use.

Q: What is the current state of censorship in Russia? A: Russia has a strict censorship regime, with authorities actively engaged in blocking access to online content deemed "harmful" or "extremist."

: Songs or visuals deemed "extremist" or promoting "illegal activities" are added to a federal blacklist. Common "Patched" Workarounds

The term "patched" in this context refers to the constant cycle of workarounds users employ to bypass these blocks. As soon as a popular platform like YouTube or Spotify faces throttling or specific video bans, the community develops "patches" to restore access. Popular Bypass Methods