The Russian government has enacted a law that criminalizes the online search for "extremist materials," impacting VPN accessibility. Users face fines for both searching and promoting VPN services, with penalties reaching up to 500,000 rubles. The legislation was narrowly supported in the Duma and follows concerns about rising risks for VPN users. While VPNs remain technically available, their usage carries significant legal liabilities. The government is also considering blocking WhatsApp to further exert control over digital privacy and online freedoms in Russia.
The Russian government has passed a law criminalizing the searching of "extremist materials" online, restricting the use of popular VPN services and imposing fines.
Fines up to 500,000 rubles may be imposed for advertising VPN services, and fines for intentionally searching for "extremist materials" range from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles.
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