LinkedIn, the professional networking platform owned by Microsoft, suspended services in Russia in March 2022 due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. This has left many Russian professionals wondering if they can still access LinkedIn within Russia. Here is a look at the current status of LinkedIn in Russia and options for accessing the platform.
LinkedIn’s Suspension of Services in Russia
On March 4, 2022, LinkedIn announced it would be suspending services in Russia due to the “Russian government’s requirement that we remove content from our platform”. LinkedIn did not outright ban Russian users but instead restricted access to some functionality. Russian users can no longer view profiles of those not in their network or make new connections. Messaging capabilities are also limited.
The suspension came after Russia passed a new censorship law that threatens prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading “fake” information about the military. This law applies to both individuals and companies operating in Russia. LinkedIn determined that due to the severe penalties of this law, they could not reliably operate the platform for members in Russia.
What Russian Users Can Still Do on LinkedIn
While LinkedIn has suspended many services in Russia, it has not completely blocked Russian users from the platform. Those with existing LinkedIn profiles can still access core functionality such as:
- Viewing profiles of connections
- Messaging connections one-to-one
- Maintaining their profile and network
- Applying for jobs
- Accessing LinkedIn Learning courses
Essentially, Russian professionals can continue leveraging their network and profiles for career purposes. However, networking capabilities are severely limited due to the inability to expand connections.
Options for Accessing LinkedIn in Russia
While LinkedIn is restricted in Russia, some options still exist for accessing the platform:
VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks a device’s location and identity. This allows bypassing location-based restrictions. Russian users can connect to a VPN server based in another country to access LinkedIn as if they were in that location. Some popular VPN services include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and ProtonVPN.
The benefits of a VPN include:
- Access to full LinkedIn functionality
- Encryption of internet traffic
- Ability to choose server location (U.S., Europe, etc.)
Downsides to be aware of:
- VPN use is illegal in Russia under law
- Requires paid subscription to VPN service
- Slows internet connection
Tor Browser
Tor Browser is free, open-source software that enables anonymous web browsing by routing traffic through a series of relay servers. This obscures the user’s location. Tor is designed for privacy and getting around censorship. It can be downloaded by Russian users to access LinkedIn.
Benefits of Tor include:
- Free to use
- More privacy focused than commercial VPNs
- Allows access to full LinkedIn functionality
Downsides to note:
- Much slower connection speed than normal browsers
- Accessing some content still blocked
- Russia has attempted to block Tor in the past
Access via Third Party Websites
There are some third party websites that allow retrieval of public information from LinkedIn profiles and posts without needing to login or connect through Russian IP addresses. Examples include:
- peekyou.com
- linkedin.com/sales-navigator
- zoominfo.com
These can be used to look up profiles and network information on public figures, companies, or others who have made their LinkedIn activity viewable to the general public. However, they won’t facilitate full use of LinkedIn or access to private profiles.
Risks of Accessing LinkedIn in Russia
While the options above may provide access to LinkedIn, there are legal and security risks Russian users should consider:
- Russia banned many VPN services and anonymizers like Tor. Penalties for using them include fines and possibly jail time.
- Internet activity may be closely monitored and censored. Accessing banned sites like LinkedIn could draw scrutiny.
- Tor and some VPNs are blocked by local internet service providers, making access unreliable.
- Use of Tor or VPNs slows internet speeds considerably.
- Despite anonymity measures, the Russian government still may be able to detect and punish access to banned platforms.
Russian professionals accessing LinkedIn should weigh the benefits against the potential consequences. Tread carefully and use tools such as VPNs and Tor judiciously.
Outlook for LinkedIn in Russia
It remains unclear when or if access to LinkedIn in Russia will be fully restored. For now LinkedIn remains operational but with limited functionality. If Russia relaxes its censorship laws or progress is made toward peace and withdrawing troops from Ukraine, LinkedIn may reconsider its suspension of services. However, if aggression persists, restrictions are likely to remain indefinitely.
Russian LinkedIn members should prepare for the reality that LinkedIn may never be fully accessible within Russia as long as current political conditions persist. Maintaining access via VPNs or Tor provides options, but with risks. There is a possibility Russia bans LinkedIn outright, as it has other platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Russian professionals should have backup plans for maintaining professional connections and building their careers should LinkedIn become completely inaccessible.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn restricted functionality in Russia, determined professionals can still find ways to access the platform through VPN services, Tor Browser, or third party tools. However, these methods carry legal and technical risks that should not be taken lightly given Russia’s censorship laws and ability to punish banned internet use. There is a chance access within Russia will be restored if political conditions improve, but the future remains uncertain. Overall, LinkedIn in Russia is severely limited compared to the rest of the world and professionals should prepare backup plans in case it becomes fully blocked.
Option | Benefits | Downsides |
---|---|---|
VPN | Full access to LinkedIn Encrypts traffic Choose location |
Illegal in Russia Paid service Slow connection |
Tor Browser | Free More private Full access |
Very slow Some blocking Russia attempts to ban |
Third Party Sites | Access some public info | No full LinkedIn use Only public profiles |
What Russian LinkedIn Users Can Still Do
- Maintain profile and connections
- Apply for jobs
- One-on-one messaging
- Access LinkedIn Learning courses
Risks of Accessing LinkedIn in Russia
- VPN and Tor use illegal – fines or jail possible
- Internet activity closely monitored
- Service blocking by internet providers
- Slow speeds
- Government may still detect access
Outlook for LinkedIn in Russia
LinkedIn will likely remain restricted unless:
- Russia relaxes censorship laws
- Progress made toward peace in Ukraine
If aggression continues, limitations will likely persist.
Possibility of complete ban as with Facebook and Twitter
Russian professionals should have backup plans to maintain connections and career growth if LinkedIn becomes fully blocked.