A bill introduced to the State Duma, proposing stricter penalties for issues like transferring SIM cards, accessing extremist content, and VPN advertising, has sparked significant public and media concern. The State Duma has now provided clarifications regarding the implications for VPN usage and the search for extremist materials.
The State Duma Committee has endorsed amendments aimed at bolstering accountability for violations in the telecommunications and information sector. This legislative initiative addresses various areas, from unauthorized SIM card transfers to online searches for extremist content and the promotion of VPN services. Proponents argue that these amendments will enhance security and help prevent crimes such as phone fraud and terrorist recruitment. A specific provision introducing fines for intentional searches of extremist materials has drawn significant media attention. The Ministry of Justice maintains a list of such materials, currently comprising nearly 5,500 entries.
First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council`s Constitutional Committee
«Fines apply to citizens only when they intentionally seek out and gain access to materials explicitly listed in the Ministry of Justice`s Federal List of Extremist Materials. The mere use of VPN services is not an administrative violation unless it is linked to illegal activities. Explicitly extremist content refers to precisely defined materials placed on the special Federal List of Extremist Materials by a court decision. Organizations or individuals designated as foreign agents are not automatically equated with extremists; therefore, simply viewing foreign agent materials is not considered a violation.»
Regarding the ban on VPN advertising, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma`s IT Committee, clarified via his Telegram channel that the focus is solely on advertising. VPN use itself is not prohibited, provided individuals are not seeking illegal content. However, he noted that if a crime is committed using a VPN, «this will be considered an aggravating circumstance.»
The business community has expressed concerns about VPNs, specifically regarding accessing resources blocked for Russian users or managing remote corporate accounts without them. Alexey Gorelkin, an information and cybersecurity expert and CEO of Phishman, discussed how businesses might adapt:
Alexey Gorelkin
Information Security Expert, CEO of Phishman
«There are VPN services provided by major Russian cybersecurity companies that can be used without issues. While these official VPNs might not grant access to platforms like Instagram, you can still access content via other countries. Furthermore, extremist materials can be filtered within these VPNs; for instance, if you acquire an official VPN permitted in the Russian Federation, its provider integrates the Roskomnadzor blacklist, meaning all known extremist or illicit sites simply won`t function through that VPN.»
The second reading of the amendments in the Duma is scheduled for Thursday.
