As from 2018, internet traffic exchange between telecom operators through foreign telecom operators situated outside the Republic of Kazakhstan (as from 2020 - through telecommunnication networks on the territory of foreign states) is forbidden. Long distance and (or) international connection operators are obliged to ensure the connection and transfer of their networks and communication subnets to Internet traffic exchange points, as well as reception of Internet traffic from Internet traffic exchange points in the manner determined by the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also, as from 2018 the operators connecting to the Internet traffic exchange point are mandated to block VPNs and similar proxy services.