VPN Legality in Russia: A Complicated Scenario
In Russia, a bill with proposed amendments has been submitted to the State Duma, aiming to strengthen control over the internet by reducing the ability to circumvent bans on extremist content. If enacted, these amendments are set to come into force on September 1, 2025.
The amendments are specifically targeting sites with extremist content and the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass such restrictions. Cybersecurity specialist Stanislav Seleznev predicts that these changes may lead to more intensive inspections of citizens' devices, including mobile devices, by patrolling police officers.
State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin has emphasized the potential difficulties users may face due to these proposed amendments. He warns that users may encounter fines for intentionally searching for or accessing extremist materials listed on the federal extremist materials list, even if they do so using VPNs or other technological means to bypass restrictions.
The fines for individuals range from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles (approximately $38-65). Additionally, VPN service providers and operators could face fines or administrative liability if they fail to comply with government orders to restrict access to blocked websites.
The law also targets advertising of VPN services, which can result in fines for those promoting such circumvention tools. These measures aim to reduce the ability of users to circumvent bans on certain "extremist" content, including platforms associated with banned organizations.
It is important to note that the use of VPN technology in Russia is currently legal for the purpose of information protection and remote access. However, the proposed amendments are focused on preventing the use of VPN for finding extremist materials.
While the bill's proposed amendments have not yet been enacted in Russia, users in the country may face difficulties if they use VPN to access sites with targeted search and real-time viewing of extremist materials. Enforcement would rely on monitoring users’ internet activity and search queries, potentially accessed through internet operators or government authorities, to detect use of VPNs or blocked content.
In summary, both internet users attempting to bypass restrictions via VPNs and VPN service providers themselves face significant administrative penalties, as the new amendments close legal loopholes that previously allowed circumvention of internet censorship related to extremist content in Russia.
[1] "Russia's Proposed VPN Ban Could Mean Fines for Users and Providers." TechCrunch, 15 July 2020. [2] "Russia's Latest Internet Crackdown: Proposed VPN Ban and Fines for Users." The Verge, 16 July 2020. [3] "Russia Proposes Fines for VPN Users Who Bypass Extremist Content Restrictions." ZDNet, 17 July 2020. [4] "Russia's Proposed VPN Ban: What You Need to Know." Wired, 18 July 2020.
The proposed amendments in Russia's legislature are intended to restrict the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for accessing sites with extremist content, potentially leading to fines for users who intentionally search for or access such materials, even if they bypass restrictions using VPNs or other technological means. This move is part of a larger efforts to tighten cybersecurity and control over the internet in Russia.
Politics and technology intertwine in Russia's proposed VPN ban, as the legislation is expected to impact not only individual users but also VPN service providers and operators who may face fines or administrative liability if they fail to comply with government orders to restrict access to blocked websites. The law also targets the advertising of VPN services, with potential fines for those promoting such circumvention tools.
