"Russian dogwear entrepreneur Natalia Kukovinets constantly switches messaging apps, a direct consequence of the Kremlin's widening internet crackdown. Her struggle to reach customers highlights how web-dependent businesses are suffering as restrictions on Telegram, VPNs, and mobile internet shutdowns affect much of Russia this year. These unpredictable outages pose a particular headache for small companies, with billions of dollars in digital sales at risk."
"Despite state efforts to control its use, Telegram remains vital. It has been the sole sales source for Ms Kukovinets's Wag'n Tails brand since Instagram was restricted in 2022 and WhatsApp in February. "Telegram is basically everything when it comes to client communication," said Kukovinets from her Moscow workshop, where she meticulously crafts embroidered hats and clothes for dog-lovers."
""Telegram is basically everything when it comes to client communication," said Kukovinets from her Moscow workshop, where she meticulously crafts embroidered hats and clothes for dog-lovers. Yet, the platform is increasingly unreliable. "It has become harder to track incoming requests. It does not work without a VPN turned on, and notifications often do not come through," she explained, wearing a custom t-shirt declari"
The Independent describes ongoing reporting efforts across US political and social issues, emphasizing fact-checking and broad public access without paywalls. It also reports on Russian entrepreneur Natalia Kukovinets, who relies on messaging apps to sell dog-related products. She switches messaging apps due to the Kremlin’s expanding internet crackdown. Restrictions on Telegram, VPNs, and mobile internet shutdowns create unpredictable outages that particularly harm small companies. Billions of dollars in digital sales are at risk. Telegram remains vital for her Wag’n Tails brand because Instagram was restricted in 2022 and WhatsApp in February. She reports that Telegram has become unreliable, with difficulty tracking requests, VPN requirements, and missing notifications.
#russia-internet-crackdown #telegram-and-vpn-restrictions #small-business-digital-sales #reproductive-rights-journalism #us-political-reporting
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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