Russia's Ministry of Digital Development is recommending users install domestic security certificates to ensure continued access to Russian websites in foreign browsers.
Key facts
- •The Ministry of Digital Development claims domestic certificates are safe and do not affect device performance.
- •Users of foreign browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge are experiencing connection errors on some Russian sites.
- •GlobalSign began revoking certificates from Russian firms in mid-June.
- •The revocation process potentially threatens 15,000 to 20,000 second-level domains.
- •Yandex Browser has the domestic security certificate pre-installed.
Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development is encouraging internet users to install government-issued SSL certificates to maintain access to domestic websites. The ministry stated the installation is safe and will not impact device functionality. This recommendation follows the revocation of digital security certificates from Russian companies by global authorities, which has caused connection errors for users of browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge.
By the numbers
Impact of Global Certificate Revocations
Global certificate authorities have been revoking security credentials from Russian firms, leading to warnings or access issues on various Russian websites, including online stores and banks. In mid-June, the Japanese company GlobalSign began revoking certificates, a move that sources told the business daily RBC could affect between 15,000 and 20,000 second-level domains.
Affected Entities and Official Guidance
GlobalSign has added over 300 domains across 44 companies to its revocation list, including sites operated by Rosneft, Gazprombank, Alrosa, ANO Dialog, and VEB.RF. Previously, the certificate for the unofficial Telegram client Telega was revoked, leading to its removal from the App Store and eventual project shutdown. The Ministry of Digital Development advises users to obtain the domestic certificates and installation instructions through the Gosuslugi state services portal, noting that the Yandex Browser already includes the domestic certificate.
Timeline
- Two months before mid-JuneGlobalSign revoked the certificate of the unofficial Telegram client Telega.
- Mid-JuneGlobalSign began forcibly revoking digital security certificates from Russian firms.
- Late JuneDevelopers of the Telega client announced they were shutting down the project.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Meduza (English).
