Russia passes law penalizing online searches for ‘extremist’ content, including via VPNs
Russia’s State Duma has passed legislation in its third and final reading making “knowingly searching for and accessing extremist materials,” including through VPN services, a misdemeanor offence, Interfax reports.
According to the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti, the amendments were supported by 306 deputies, with 67 voting against and 22 abstaining.
The provision penalizing the search for “extremist” content was introduced on July 14 as an amendment ahead of the bill’s second reading. The bill itself was originally focused on “increasing administrative penalties for certain violations in the field of transport and logistics.”
Under the new law, individuals who “intentionally search for extremist materials” may face fines ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles (roughly $38 to $64). Additional penalties apply for violating rules on VPN usage. Advertising VPN services carries fines of 50,000–80,000 rubles ($640–$1,020) for individuals, 80,000–150,000 rubles ($1,020–$1,900) for officials, and 200,000–500,000 rubles ($2,550–$6,380) for legal entities.
The Duma also adopted a provision designating the use of VPNs in the commission of a crime as an aggravating factor.
During the July 22 debate ahead of the final vote, Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev addressed the chamber. He said the government believes the legislation “strikes a balance: on the one hand, to prevent the further spread of extremist materials, on the other, to avoid — at least for now — blocking large Western platforms.”
According to Interfax, Shadayev claimed that “ordinary users will not be affected” by the new law, though he did not explain how that would be possible.
