Russia is tightening its grip on the internet, passing a new law that introduces fines for people who search for or access “extremist materials,” with a clear focus on those using VPNs to do so. The Russian Parliament approved the controversial law on Tuesday, further escalating the Kremlin’s long-standing war against tools that bypass its internet censorship.
This is just the latest move in Russia’s ongoing crackdown. Authorities have already deployed sophisticated technology to block VPN services and have made it illegal even to share information on how to get around the country’s internet restrictions. This pressure has led companies like Apple to remove dozens of popular VPN apps from their app store in Russia.
The new law introduces steep fines, but primarily for advertising VPNs. Individuals caught promoting the services face fines of up to $1,020, while companies may be subject to penalties of up to $6,380.
According to digital rights experts, the law doesn’t make using a VPN itself illegal. However, it makes using one a “qualifying feature” of an illegal search. This means that if you’re caught accessing a banned website, the fact that you used a VPN to do so could be used against you.
In an even more worrying development, another law was passed in conjunction with this one. It makes using a VPN an “aggravating circumstance” when committing any crime. In other words, using a VPN could lead to a harsher punishment, regardless of the offense.
