Adult video website PornHub now requires Russian users to log in using social media accounts linked to their passports and cellphones.

The rule, launched on Monday, is the latest chapter in an ongoing battle between PornHub and Russia, which banned the adult video site last year.

After being reinstated in April, PornHub uploaded a documentary criticising Russian officials after the film's creator, anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny, causing uproar in the Russian government.

It's unclear whether or not the latest security policy, forcing users to log in through social networking site VKontakte, is linked to the Navalny documentary.

After being reinstated in April, PornHub uploaded a documentary criticising Russian officials after the film's creator, anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny (pictured center), causing uproar in the Russian government. It's unclear whether or not the latest security policy, forcing users to log in through social networking site VKontakte, is linked to the Navalny documentary

PornHub announced the new feature though it's VKontakte page saying: 'now you can simply log in through your favorite social network' instead of submitting your date of birth.

While the new policy makes it easier to log in, it also allows the Russian government to survey whoever's using the site.

To open a VKontakte account, users have to enter their cell phone numbers, and in order to legally purchase a SIM card in Russia, customers must present their passport information.

'While this exact method is not a condition [from the Russian government], we found this is the best solution for our users to comply with Russian access laws,' PornHub Vice President Corey Price told Vice.

Price added: 'Also to be clear, PornHub does not log or store any of your personal information, this is just a check to see if users are over 18…. On [VKontakte's] end, all they will see is see the request from that user, they will not know what that user browsed on PornHub.'

Russia initially blocked PornHub - the world's largest porn site - and YouPorn in September during a crackdown on internet pornography, arguing that it spread information detrimental to the development of children.

At the time, the sites were redirected Russian visitors to a page that said they had been blocked 'by decision of public authorities'.

In May, Navalny's documentary, titled 'Russian Corrupted Politician F***** Hard' by PornHub, was uploaded to the site after a Russian court asked him to stop distributing the film

PornHub was reinstated in Russia in April after requiring users to specify their age when logging in.

In May, Navalny's documentary, titled 'Russian Corrupted Politician F***** Hard' by PornHub, was uploaded to the site after a Russian court asked him to stop distributing the film.

The video alleged corruption among top Russian officials, including Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, claiming he had used fronts to control luxury assets in Russia and abroad.

It is deemed 'hardcore' and ranked 'professional' on the site, and mainly features Putin rival Navalny discussing images of yachts and property.

'Thank you,' he posted in response to PornHub. 'I will not be deleting it anyway.'

He then suggested that PornHub remake the documentary in its 'relevant genre'.

'This will help many citizens realize what corrupt officials do to the people of Russia,' Navalny wrote.

Pornhub isn't the only website Russia has banned during internet crackdowns.

Along with the 11 porn sites blocked last year, temporary bans have also affected Wikipedia, Apple's iCloud, and YouTube.

Before Navalny's documentary was posted on Pornhub, Russia banned several websites that used to spread word of protests organised by the anti-corruption blogger.